Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup mirin
  • 1/4 cup culinary sake
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 piece (2-inch) kombu

Instructions:

  1. In a small non-reactive saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
  2. Place the pan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the sugar crystals have completely dissolved and the liquid is a uniform dark color.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer with small bubbles.
  4. Add the optional piece of kombu to the liquid to infuse with umami glutamates.
  5. Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced and thickened into a velvety, syrupy glaze that coats the back of a spoon.