What Is Chinese Rice Wine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Rice wine is ideal for both cooking and drinking. The most popular varieties include huangjiu, mirin, and sake. If you’ve run out or are looking for an alternative, try swapping for equal amounts of

dry sherry, white wine, dry vermouth, or white grape juice

.

What is a substitute for Chinese rice wine?

Rice wine is ideal for both cooking and drinking. The most popular varieties include huangjiu, mirin, and sake. If you’ve run out or are looking for an alternative, try swapping for equal amounts of

dry sherry, white wine, dry vermouth, or white grape juice

.

Is Chinese rice wine the same as rice wine vinegar?

The main difference between rice wine and rice wine vinegar is that

one contains alcohol and the other one doesn’t

. Rice wine vinegar can be consumed on its own, or used for cooking. It has an alcohol content of 18 – 25% ABV.

What is the name of Chinese rice wine?


Shaoxing wine (Shaohing, Shaoshing)

is one of the most famous varieties of huangjiu, or traditional Chinese wines, fermented from rice. Every Chinese restaurant uses Shaoxing wine in almost EVERY savory dish. It is widely used as both a beverage and a cooking wine in Chinese cuisine.

Where can I buy Chinese rice wine?

Depending on which state you live in, the types of rice wine you can buy (and where) may vary. However, a good place to start looking is in

the vinegar aisle of the grocery store

. Check for cooking rice wines like Japanese mirin or Chinese Shaoxing wine around the oils and vinegars.

Can you get drunk on rice wine?

Drinking cooking wine

can get you drunk

, but cooking with it will not. As noted above, cooking wine has a high ABV. Regardless of any other content, high levels of alcohol are entirely capable of getting someone drunk. … Cooking with the wine would burn off enough of the alcohol that it is unlikely to have any impact.

Can you drink Chinese rice wine?

Chinese rice wine or Mijiu is a traditional wine made from glutinous rice. With sweet taste, low alcoholicity, and rich nutrients, it has been popular among all ages in China for thousands of years.

You can drink rice wine directly, after being heated or stored in refrigerator

.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of rice wine?

Like rice vinegar, balsamic boasts a more mellow flavor profile and plenty of sweetness. But although balsamic stacks up in terms of acidity, it has a much deeper and richer flavor so it won’t take a backseat like rice vinegar does.

Can I use mirin instead of rice wine?

Another good replacement is Sake, a Japanese rice wine. … A final substitute you could use is Mirin,

a Japanese sweet cooking wine

. If you decide to use Mirin, it’s recommended that you either omit or reduce the sugar required in the recipe because Mirin is much sweeter than traditional Chinese cooking wine.

Is rice wine the same as mirin?

Mirin is a

type of rice wine

that is sweeter than other rice wines used for cooking. Rice wines are found in most Asian countries, while mirin is mainly found in Japan or Japanese cuisine.

Do Chinese restaurants use Shaoxing Wine?


Every Chinese restaurant uses Shaoxing Wine in almost every savoury dish

. You’d be hard pressed to find a single dish on a Chinese restaurant menu that does not use Chinese cooking wine! … It’s also used in noodle recipes such as Chow Mein, and soup broths, like Wonton Soup and Chinese Corn Soup.

Why do Chinese use rice wine?

Playing an important role in Chinese cuisine, Shaoxing rice wine is commonly

used for everyday cooking

. It’s essential for preparing meat or fish, either in stir-fry or in braising dishes. It eliminates the unpleasant smell of raw meat (or fish) and adds an aromatic, rich flavour to dishes.

Is wine made in China?


Wine has been produced in China since the Han dynasty

(206 BC–220 AD). Thanks to its immense territory and favorable climates, China is the largest grape producer worldwide, contributing to nearly half of the world’s grape production. When it comes to viticulture, it also has the third-largest vineyard area worldwide.

Which Shaoxing wine is best?

The best Shaoxing wine brand

Our favorite brand of Shaoxing wine is

Pagoda Huadiao Rice Wine No Salt

. It’s been around forever. You can also get a salted version on Amazon.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of Shaoxing wine?

The bottom line: If you love Asian cuisine, it’s worth keeping rice wine vinegar in your pantry. In a pinch, though, you can totally substitute in another light, mild vinegar, like apple cider vinegar or

champagne vinegar

.

What is rice wine mirin?

Although it sometimes gets confused with rice wine vinegar, mirin actually is

a sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking

. It doesn’t just flavor food. The sweetness also gives luster to sauces and glazes and can help them cling to food. If you don’t have mirin, there are many common suggestions for substitutions.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.