A glossy, sweet-and-tangy sauce with gentle heat—perfect for dipping, glazing, or stir-fries.
🧾 Ingredients
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp sugar (white sugar works best)
1 tablespoon rice wine (or mirin)
2–3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1–2 teaspoons red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Pinch of salt (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
Combine base ingredients
In a saucepan, add rice vinegar, water, sugar, and rice wine. Stir over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves.
Add flavor
Add minced garlic and chili flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Thicken the sauce
Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Slowly pour into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly.
Simmer & finish
Cook for another 1–2 minutes until thick and glossy. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat if needed.
Cool
Remove from heat. The sauce will thicken slightly more as it cools.
🍽️ How to Use
Dipping sauce for spring rolls, chicken, shrimp
Glaze for wings or roasted vegetables
Stir-fry sauce base
Drizzle for noodles or rice bowls
🧊 Storage
Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator
Keeps up to 2 weeks
🔥 Tips & Variations
Less sweet: Reduce sugar by 1–2 tablespoons
More heat: Add fresh chopped chili or extra flakes
Vegan & gluten-free: This recipe already is
Thicker sauce: Add ½ tsp more cornstarch
