You are in Japan, the land of the rising sun, and you decide to visit one of the famous tourist spots, Dotonbori Street. Scattered in rows are stalls offering Japanese delicacies such as takoyaki, sushi and teppanyaki. 

Your eyes are fixated on the sushi with fresh salmon on top. You thought to yourself - Is this halal? It should be, right? I mean, it is just rice with fresh, non-processed salmon.

Let me hold your hand while I say this – unfortunately, it is not just rice and salmon most of the time.

Most Japanese delicacies contain mirin in the recipe, and this includes the sushi rice that is used in sushi-making.

What is Mirin?

Originating from Japan, mirin is a type of sweet rice wine typically added to cooking. It is made by mixing glutinous rice with kolji (cultured rice) and shochu (an alcoholic beverage made of sweet potatoes)¹. The fermentation of these ingredients produces a unique flavour that consists of a sweet note with a punch of umami (delicious savoury taste). Mirin is similar to sake (Japanese alcoholic beverage) but has lower alcohol content and higher sugar content.

There are different types of mirin in the market, such as hon mirin, which is the traditional mirin with 14% alcohol content, and Aji-mirin, which is artificially made with zero or any traces of alcohol.

Uses of Mirin in Food

1. As a glazing agent: To give a shining, glossy exterior to grilled meat, such as grilled eel (unagi) and yakitori (skewered chicken).
2. To remove fishy/meaty odour: When the food is heated, the fishy or meaty odour evaporates with the alcohol in mirin.
3. To enhance the flavour in food: The amino acid component in mirin helps to enhance the flavours in a cuisine.
4. To give a slight sweetness to savoury food: Starch from the fermented rice produces a natural sugar that may aid in balancing the saltiness of the food.

Common Japanese Dishes that Use Mirin

1. Sauces like teriyaki sauce, sushi vinegar, and takoyaki sauce.
2. Dishes such as sushi, shoyu ramen, udon, glazed yakitori, unagi, and dipping sauce for soba.
3. Sweets and chocolates, especially high-end varieties.

Conclusion: Halal-ness and Alternatives

Mirin contains alcohol, usually around 14%, which makes it unsuitable for Muslims to consume. While some might say that the alcohol evaporates during cooking, the issue is that once any non-halal ingredient like alcohol is added, the dish is no longer considered halal. So even though the alcohol in mirin isn't enough to make someone drunk, it still makes the food haram. In fact, in Japan, mirin is treated more like an alcoholic beverage than a simple cooking ingredient, which is another reason it's not considered okay for halal diets².

Consider this Halal Alternative to Mirin 👇

If you're looking to substitute mirin in a recipe, there are a few alternatives you can try:
1. Sweetener + Vinegar:
○ Sweetener: You can use brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey (if you're not avoiding honey). These options provide the necessary sweetness that mimics the taste of mirin.
○ Vinegar: Rice vinegar is the closest to the mild acidity of mirin, but you should ensure it's free from any alcohol or wine-based additives. Some kinds of vinegar may contain traces of alcohol, so checking the label is important.
○ Example Ratio: A common substitution is one tablespoon of sweetener (e.g., brown sugar or maple syrup) mixed with one tablespoon of rice vinegar. Adjust the proportions to taste, depending on the sweetness and acidity you prefer.

2. Halal Mirin-style Products:
○ Halal-certified mirin-style products are also available on the market. These products are designed to mimic the flavour of traditional mirin without the alcohol content. Be sure to look for a halal certification logo when choosing these products.

In Summary:

● Traditional mirin is not halal due to its alcohol content.
● Halal alternatives include a mixture of sweetener and non-alcoholic vinegar, such as rice vinegar.
● Always check the ingredients list to ensure the product is alcohol-free and halal-certified.

If you're cooking Japanese dishes or making sushi and want to stay halal, it's important to pay attention to the ingredients used, as mirin is quite common in many recipes.

References:

¹ What is Mirin? Retrieved from here.

² Mirin 101: What It Is, What It Does, Substitutions and More. Retrieved from here.

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