MyTastr

Best mirin (hon mirin), according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Nancy Singleton Hachisu, Hiroko Shimbo, Sonoko Sakai and Niki Nakayama. Recommendations come from bonappetit.com, saveur.com and seriouseats.com.

International Pantry · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Mikawa Hon Mirin (Sumiya Bunjiro)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Shimbo’s pick for the real thing. Hachisu calls Mikawa mirin “indisputably the best in Japan”: the finest examples “go down like a liqueur.”
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗
  2. 2

    Fukuraijun Hon Mirin

    Chosen by
    Sakai’s bottle of the real thing; she prizes hon mirin for koku, “like umami, but it gives not just flavor but aroma… it gives depth.”
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗
  3. 3

    Takara Mirin

    Chosen by
    Nakayama’s preference. Naturally fermented, with “a pleasant, almost honeyed sweetness,” and findable in some sake shops and liquor stores.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: seriouseats.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best mirin (hon mirin), according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Mikawa Hon Mirin (Sumiya Bunjiro), chosen by Hiroko Shimbo (The Japanese Kitchen); Nancy Singleton Hachisu (Japanese Farm Food). Shimbo’s pick for the real thing. Hachisu calls Mikawa mirin “indisputably the best in Japan”: the finest examples “go down like a liqueur.” Source: bonappetit.com ↗
What are the other top picks for mirin (hon mirin)?
No. 2 is Fukuraijun Hon Mirin, chosen by Sonoko Sakai (Japanese Home Cooking). No. 3 is Takara Mirin, chosen by Niki Nakayama (n/naka). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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