isithalal.food

Is Mirin Halal?

Scholars differ on this one.

Scholarly difference
High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Condition
Recognised scholarly rulings differ
Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a named scriptural or scholarly source, retrieved 6 October 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

Reviewed

Mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine made by fermenting glutinous rice with koji and an alcoholic spirit; traditional hon mirin has about 14% alcohol.

Next step Traditional mirin is a sweet rice wine with about 14% alcohol. Singapore's MuslimSG treats it as not Halal; Indonesia's Muhammadiyah permits it for Muslims in Japan only when cooked until the alcohol evaporates. If you avoid it, use a Halal-certified mirin-style seasoning or sugar and rice vinegar. How to verify
Scan a label

Scholarly differences

Mirin is an intoxicating drink in its own right, so the dispute is about cooking with it. MuslimSG's article holds that once alcohol is added, the dish is no longer Halal, even if the alcohol evaporates.

Muhammadiyah's Tarjih Council reasons from istihalah (transformation) and the needs of Muslim minorities that mirin cooked until it no longer intoxicates may be used in Japan, citing similar views from al-Qaradawi and AMJA on small amounts of alcohol in food; it still forbids mirin in Indonesia to close the door to misuse.

Darul Iftaa Chicago, a Hanafi body, also rules mirin and food containing it impermissible, because an intoxicant is added to the food as a direct ingredient. Drinking mirin is haram on every view cited here.

What decides the answer

  • Drinking mirin, or using it uncooked

    haram on every view cited here

  • Cooked until the alcohol evaporates, Muslims in Japan

    permitted by Muhammadiyah (2025)

  • Halal-certified mirin-style seasoning

    no alcohol question; check the mark

  • Cooked into food, MuslimSG and Darul Iftaa Chicago view

    not Halal

How to verify

  1. Check the label: hon mirin is rice wine with about 14% alcohol.
  2. Mirin-style seasonings vary; read the alcohol content and look for a Halal mark.
  3. In Japanese dishes, ask about mirin in teriyaki sauce, sushi vinegar, ramen broth and glazes.
  4. Follow your scholar on alcohol cooked off in food: MuslimSG and Muhammadiyah answer differently.

Quick checks

  • Hon mirin: rice wine, about 14% alcohol.
  • Cooked off: MuslimSG says no; Muhammadiyah allows it in Japan.
  • Look for Halal-certified mirin-style seasoning.

Why this ruling

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine used as a seasoning. It is made by fermenting glutinous rice with koji and an alcoholic spirit, and traditional hon mirin has about 14% alcohol.[1][2] It turns up in teriyaki sauce, sushi vinegar, glazes and broths.

Two answers

An article on MuslimSG, written by a Muis Halal Development executive, says mirin's alcohol "makes it unsuitable for Muslims", and that even if the alcohol evaporates, "once any non-halal ingredient like alcohol is added, the dish is no longer considered halal".[1]

Indonesia's Muhammadiyah Tarjih Council answered a question from a Muslim woman in Japan differently. In its 2025 fatwa, mirin used as a cooking ingredient is permissible for Muslims in Japan "provided that it is cooked until the alcohol evaporates". Drinking it, or using it uncooked, stays haram, and in Indonesia mirin is not permitted at all.[2]

Darul Iftaa Chicago reaches the same result as MuslimSG by a different route: mirin is an intoxicant added to food "as a direct ingredient", so mirin and food containing it are not permissible, unlike soy sauce.[3]

In Japanese food

Because mirin is so common, the question often comes up in dishes rather than bottles: ask about it in teriyaki sauce, sushi rice and ramen. For a substitute, MuslimSG suggests a sweetener mixed with rice vinegar, or a Halal-certified mirin-style product.[1] Mirin is close to sake, with less alcohol and more sugar.

Where you'll find it

  • Teriyaki sauce and glazes for yakitori and grilled eel
  • Sushi vinegar and dipping sauces
  • Ramen and udon broths

Frequently asked questions

Is mirin Halal?
Scholars differ. Traditional mirin is rice wine with about 14% alcohol. MuslimSG says it is unsuitable for Muslims even when the alcohol cooks off; Indonesia's Muhammadiyah permits it for Muslims in Japan as a seasoning cooked until the alcohol evaporates, but not in Indonesia, and never to drink.
Does mirin have alcohol?
Traditional hon mirin does, about 14%. Muhammadiyah's fatwa gives 12.5% to 14.5% from fermentation. Mirin-style seasonings vary, so read the label.
Does the alcohol in mirin cook off?
Muhammadiyah's ruling assumes it does when mirin is cooked at high heat, and permits it on that condition for Muslims in Japan. MuslimSG's view is that adding it makes the dish not Halal regardless.
What can I use instead of mirin?
MuslimSG suggests a sweetener such as brown sugar, maple syrup or honey mixed with rice vinegar, or a Halal-certified mirin-style product.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Islamic / scriptural

  1. Is mirin halal?

    MuslimSG (Nurul Khalisah, Muis Halal Development) Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: Singapore

    29 November 2024. 'Mirin contains alcohol, usually around 14%, which makes it unsuitable for Muslims to consume. While some might say that the alcohol evaporates during cooking, the issue is that once any non-halal ingredient like alcohol is added, the dish is no longer considered halal.' Lists teriyaki sauce, sushi vinegar and takoyaki sauce among common uses; suggests sweetener with rice vinegar, or Halal-certified mirin-style products.

  2. Fatwa on using mirin in cooking for Muslims in Japan

    Muhammadiyah (Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid) Retrieved

    Jurisdiction: Indonesia

    Announced 1 October 2025. Mirin's fermentation 'produces an alcohol content ranging from 12,5% to 14,5%'. Rulings: use as a cooking ingredient is permissible for Muslims in Japan 'provided that it is cooked until the alcohol evaporates'; 'Drinking mirin directly or using it without cooking remains haram'; 'In Indonesia, the use of mirin is not permitted.' Cites al-Qaradawi and AMJA on small amounts of alcohol in food after istihalah.

  3. Is soy sauce halal? The ruling on alcohol in soy sauce

    Darul Iftaa Chicago (via IslamQA.org) Retrieved

    'Mirin is an intoxicant, and this intoxicant is added to a food product as a direct ingredient for an invalid purpose, as opposed to soy sauce, which is not an intoxicant to begin with. Hence, mirin and food products containing mirin are not permissible whereas soy sauce is.'

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