Shaoxing wine (็ดน่้ ) is a famous Chinese rice wine from Shaoxing, made from fermented glutinous rice, water, and wheat-based yeast, used for both drinking and cooking to add deep, complex, slightly sweet, and savory flavors to dishes like stir-fries, marinades, and braises, providing authentic restaurant taste. It's a key ingredient in Chinese cuisine, acting similarly to sherry or sake but with its unique profile, balancing fats and salt, and is known for its amber color and strong aroma.
Key Characteristics & Uses:
Origin: Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, with over 2000 years of history.
Ingredients: Glutinous rice, water, and a wheat-based yeast (koji).
Flavor Profile: Complex, nutty, slightly sweet, with a savory depth and sharp finish, but can be harsh when drunk straight due to added salt in cooking versions.
Uses: Essential for marinades (drunken chicken), sauces, braised dishes, and stir-fries, adding umami and balancing flavors.
Types: Comes in various grades, from dry (Yuan Hong) to sweet (Shaoxing).
Gluten: Contains wheat, so not gluten-free.
Substitutes:
Dry sherry, sake, or Chinese mirin (less sweet) can be used in a pinch, but won't replicate the exact flavor.
Type
Drink
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