Missing the day where you can visit Japan, having a glass of Draught beer with a plate of Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken), chilling in the Izakaya? You probably tried to remake your Yakitori at home but feel like lacking some taste? Then you’ve probably missed the most important seasoning here, the Mirin!
What is Mirin? Mirin is a type of rice wine but with a lower alcohol level that is frequently used in Japanese cuisine. It tastes sweet, it usually brings out the flavor of the food and makes your dishes more delicious.
This is why I won’t advise you to skip adding Mirin for your Yakitori!
Of course, if you can’t get Mirin anywhere, there are also substitute for Mirin to satisfy your cravings.
Besides Mirin, I believe you’ve probably come across Hon Mirin too. What is it? What makes Mirin so different with and without the “Hon” in front? You may want to read the related post below if you’re interested to find out more details about Hon Mirin.
Recipe for Yakitori
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Soy sauce
- ½ cup Water
- 2 tbsp Mirin
- 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
- ⅔ tbsp Light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Ginger, minced
Instructions
- Remove the skin and fat from the chicken thigh, cut into 2 cm squares, then skewer the chicken.
- Combine the all the ingredients for seasonings.
- Close the lid and heat on low heat for 5 minutes to cook the chicken.
- Once baked, place it on a plate.
- Put the yakitori to the frying pan.
- When the sauce is boiled down, it becomes more shiny and thicker, and the color becomes darker like caramel. Quickly flip both sides of the yakitori and turn off the heat.
- Keep an eye on it as it is easy to burn at the end.
- Serve on a plate, drizzle with the sauce left on the frying pan, and sprinkle with shichimi pepper if you like.
Recommended Products for Mirin
Buy on Amazon
Mirin Sweet Rice Seasoning 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) – Traditional Umami Cooking Wine, Made in Japan by Kawashimaya
Indispensable sweet rice seasoning with strong umami taste, full-bodied richness, refreshing aftertaste, and smooth consistency for daily cooking. Vegan and Gluten-free mirin. Use 100% Japanese domestic rice. Made in Japan.
Organic Mirin Sweet Rice Seasoning 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) – Traditional Umami Cooking Wine, USDA Certified, Made in Japan by Kawashimaya
Premium secret cooking ingredient with umami, full-bodied richness, and smooth consistency. USDA Certified, Vegan, and Gluten-free sweet rice seasoning. Use 100% Japanese domestic rice. Made in Japan.
Black Mirin Sweet Rice Seasoning 180ml (2.7 fl oz) – Aged for 20 Years, Traditional Umami Cooking Wine, Made in Japan by Kawashimaya
Black Mirin is a carefully developed sweet rice cooking seasoning with continuous preservation for twenty years. It gives a luxury touch to every dish with completely different tastes from usual mirin. Vegan and Gluten-free. Use 100% Japanese domestic rice. Made in Japan.
