A bottle of Korean sweet rice wine shows its golden color.

Korean sweet rice wine (mirim, 미림 or matsul, 맛술) is produced from fermented glutinous rice. It is sweeter than other types of rice wine and it is solely for cooking not for drinking.

Similar to Japanese mirin, Korean Mirim (matsul) has a mixed aroma and taste. The flavor can vary from one brand to another, but they are all generally sweet and most have a relatively low alcohol content (about 14%) compared to Western wines and beers

Like other Asian cuisine where rice wine is widely used. Korean cuisine is not an exemption. Mirim (matsul) is widely used in marinating meats, and occasionally to vegetable side dishes or salads to add more intense flavor to the dish.

How to store Korean sweet rice wine

Once opened keep the wine tightly sealed and store it in a cool, dark place. It will last up to 6 months. The fermentation will get intense as it sits in the room temperature to an extended period. Therefore if you don’t use it often, keep the wine in the refrigerator for a longer storage.