If you’re in the mood to cook but running short on ingredients, there’s always the old tactic of asking your neighbor for a cup of sugar. If you are in Japan though, why don’t you ask your neighbor for a cup of mirin, or sweet sake used for cooking, instead?
The Sanshu Mikawa Mirin Distillery has recently been promoting sweets made with mirin. This notion is bound to turn some heads as there doesn’t seem to be a correlation between mirin and sweets in Japanese cooking, where it’s instead often used to add a flavorful touch to grilled fish or sushi. So how is it that this seemingly savory flavor can be substituted for the sweetness of sugar? The RocketKitchen is going to get to the bottom of this and eat some pudding too!

Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Natto for beginners? How to half-make Japanese fermented soybeans at home【SoraKitchen】
The world’s most matcha-intense ice cream experience is waiting for you in Shizuoka
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Natto for beginners? How to half-make Japanese fermented soybeans at home【SoraKitchen】
The world’s most matcha-intense ice cream experience is waiting for you in Shizuoka
Canned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
KFC Japan releases official Kentucky Fried ramen recipe, other Japanese-inspired cooking ideas
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Ultraman title logo generator set up online by McDonald’s Japan
Do people in Kyoto really stand to the right on escalators?
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】