Mirin, Edinburgh - Creative Asian Fusion & Bold Flavours
Ever tried finding somewhere decent to eat on a Monday night in Edinburgh? It’s a fool’s errand. If you want tasty food cooked well, all the good places (the ones with actual chefs, not microwaves) are shut. Sure, you can wander into any number of cafés or pubs serving food, but when you’re after something mid‑range or better, you’re going to struggle.
After a fair bit of scrolling and sighing, we landed on Mirin. I’d heard good things whispered about this little Leith spot, so we booked a table and headed down Leith Walk to investigate.
First Impressions of Mirin on Leith Walk
Mirin is small, compact, even but confidently boujee. Step inside and you’re met with steamy windows, the hum of conversation, and a tangle of aromas drifting from the open kitchen. There’s space for around 20 covers, give or take. And watching over it all is Anthony Bourdain, mid‑slurp, immortalised in a painting that feels perfectly at home in a place like this.
The menu leans Asian‑fusion, playful but grounded. The name itself is a nod to both sides of its identity: mirin, the Japanese sweet rice wine used to season and glaze dishes, and Mirin, a traditional Gaelic girl’s name meaning beloved or tender. A fitting combination for a restaurant blending cultures with a bit of swagger.
The Menu — Dumplings, Small Plates & Surprises
The menu at Mirin is a living thing, dishes shift, rotate, disappear, reappear. And on our visit, we were lucky enough to be treated to a couple of off‑menu/ courtesy of the chef surprises too.
Asahi ordered and poured, we placed our choices and let the team take over. There’s no ceremony here, no rigid course structure, dishes arrive when they’re ready, hot from the pass, and you quickly learn to trust the flow.
The menu is split into three sections: dumplings & noodles, small plates, and desserts. They recommend ordering two to three dishes per person, and honestly, that’s spot on. Portions aren’t exactly generous; this isn’t a “roll me home” kind of dinner, but what they lack in size they make up for in flavour. Every plate is tight, deliberate, and clearly cooked by someone who cares about balance.
There’s a confidence to serving smaller portions: it says, you’re here to taste, not to fill up on volume. And at Mirin, that confidence is justified.
Here’s what we had:
The Smoked salmon, asparagus and pea dumplings in laksa broth (complimentary) landed first, delicate little parcels floating in a rich, aromatic bowl of sunshine. The filling is sweet, green and lightly smoky, lifted beautifully by the creamy, lemongrass‑forward broth. It’s a small dish, but a bold, confident opener that sets the tone for the rest of the meal.
Roe deer, pork shoulder, chilli and kaffir lime broth (£9) - These tortellini arrived in a broth that was bright, aromatic and lightly spiked with chilli and kaffir lime. The meat was tender, almost falling apart, with the citrus cutting beautifully through the richness. It’s was a bowl that felt both comforting and quietly complex.
Crispy oyster mushrooms, fermented mustard greens, morning glory and wild garlic (complimentary but would be £15) - This dish brought all the crunch and umami you wanted, lifted by the sharp, funky hit of fermented mustard greens. Morning glory and wild garlic added freshness, giving the dish a lovely green brightness. It was simple, clever and incredibly moreish.
Yakitori of BBQ chicken thighs, garlic chives, shoyu tare and lemon togarashi (£16) - The yakitori was smoky, sticky and perfectly charred, glazed in a glossy shoyu tare that clings to every bite. Garlic chives add a savoury lift, while the lemon togarashi brings a citrusy heat that keeps everything lively. It was slightly chewy but tasty nonetheless.
BBQ veal sweetbreads, rhubarb, pickled radicchio and negi shio (complimentary but would be £17) - Not a dish for me but told it was seriously delicious. Soft within, with the BBQ char giving them real depth.
Sika Deer venison tartare, togarashi potato crisps, anchovy and mango (£16) - A superb plate: the venison tartare is clean, silky and beautifully seasoned, lifted by the salty hit of anchovy and the sweetness of mango. The togarashi crisps add heat and crunch, giving the whole dish texture and attitude. Easily one of the standouts.
Reestit Mutton and North Havra seaweed lamb (£17.50), Xacuti curry, kohlrabi raita, golden raisin and caper chutney, paratha - This was a gorgeous combination - rich, deeply savoury lamb against the warmth of the Xacuti and the cooling crunch of the kohlrabi raita. The raisin and caper chutney brought a lovely sweet‑sharp lift. I loved it, but the portion was very small for the price.
Panna Cotta(£10) chai spiced, spiced pear chutney and honey sesame biscuit - This didn’t land: the panna cotta was set firm, with none of the wobble or silkiness you expect. The flavours were pleasant enough, but the texture pushed it into “set dessert” territory rather than panna cotta. A disappointing end to an otherwise confident meal.
Chocolate terrine (£10), pistachio, kaya and katifi - Not a terrine, more of a mousse, light and airy rather than dense and velvety. The flavours were fine, but it lacked the richness and structure the name promised. Like the panna cotta, it felt underwhelming.
Value for Money
For six dishes and drinks, our bill came to around £100+. It’s definitely on the pricier side, especially for what is essentially a small, hole‑in‑the‑wall spot, but the flavours that hit, the use of Asian ingredients and the creativity behind each plate helped justify the spend!
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT MIRIN
They offer vegetarian and vegan options
They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Reservations are recommended
They are dog friendly
They are disabled friendly although the space is extremely small and tight
Mirin, 9 Albert Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HN www.mirin.uk
My Spoon Award : Silver Spoon 8/10
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