What to Eat with Natto

What to eat with natto.

Or better yet, what am I going to eat with my natto today?

This is a question that I ask myself weekly, if not almost daily.

I'm a "natto lover" and I enjoy discovering and trying out different combinations of flavors from the various sticky, stringy bean dishes I've found at restaurants or concocted on my own.

Are you looking for different ways to eat your Japanese fermented soybeans?

Of course you are.

Why else would you be reading this article.

Let me just say, you've come to the right place!

Here are 10 traditional and unique "What to Eat with Natto" ideas for you to try.

1. Sauces & Spices
2. Rice
3. Egg
4. Toast
5. Tortilla
6. Noodles
7. Curry
8. Meat
9. Fried Foods
10. Vegetables

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What to Eat with Natto:  Sauces & Spices

Here in Japan, packages of natto typically include a soy sauce based sauce called "tare" and a spicy yellow mustard called "karashi."

Most Japanese people enjoy their natto with this sauce and condiment, and it's the traditional flavor that I like with my sticky, stringy beans too.

But it's not the only flavor that I've come to enjoy.

Some pairing ideas I find tasty are:

Idea #1:  Japanese Citrus Vinegar (ponzu), Japanese Citrus Pepper
(yuzukosho) & Turmeric (ukon)

Idea #2:  Ponzu & Red Chili Pepper (togarashi)

Idea #3:  Ponzu, Yuzukosho & Grated Radish (daikon-oroshi)

Idea #4:  Soy Sauce (shoyu), Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Yuzukosho

Idea #5:  Shoyu & Japanese Horseradish (wasabi)

Idea #6:  Shoyu & Togarashi

Idea #7:  Shoyu, Black Vinegar (kurozu) & Garlic (nin-niku)

Idea #8:  Chipotle Hot Sauce

Idea #9:  Chili Oil (ra-yu), Fried Garlic & Fried Onion, Kurozu & Shoyu

Idea #10:  Shoyu, Ukon & Ginger (shoga)

Idea #11:  Perilla (aojiso) & Shoyu

Idea #12:  Shoyu & Brown Sugar (kurozatou) (Sweet & Salty Natto)

Start off by adding 1 teaspoon of sauce/vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon of spice/seasoning to your natto.

*These measurements above were converted from the amounts typically found in packages of natto sold here in Japan (tare: 5.5g & karashi: 1.2g).

Mix in a circular motion 20 - 30 times to bring out the flavor of the fermented soybeans.

*If the flavor is too weak, add more sauce/vinegar or spice/seasoning to your liking.

*If the flavor is too strong, add more natto and continue mixing.

Try out these paring ideas to see which ones your taste buds like best.

If none of the pairings are satisfying your palate, mix and match the different sauces, spices and flavors to come up with additional ideas.

Have fun and enjoy some natto goodness!

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Rice

Are you looking for the most traditional way to enjoy Japanese fermented soybeans?

Then look no further.

This is how most Japanese people eat natto.

They top their rice with some sticky, stringy beans and enjoy some natto goodness.

Here are 5 natto and rice pairings I like:

Idea #1:  Natto on Rice

Idea #2:  Natto Sushi Rolls (natto-maki)

Idea #3:  Natto Sushi Boats (natto-gunkan)

Idea #4:  Natto Fried Rice (natto-chahan)

Idea #5:  Natto & Japanese Rice Cake (mochi)

Try out each natto and rice idea to see which ones suit your palate best.

*Click the above "natto and rice" link to discover how to make each idea.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Egg

Eating natto together with egg is a combination that tastes great.

If you want to add more nutrition and protein to your meal, then add some egg to your natto dish.

Here are a few tasty pairings I like:

Idea #1:  Natto and a Poached Egg (ontama) on your Rice

*change out poached egg for scrambled, over-easy, sunny-side-up, etc.

Idea #2:  Natto Omelet

Idea #3:  Natto Omelet and Rice (omuraisu)

Which idea sounds delicious to you?

Try out each pairing to see which ones you like best.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Toast

Japanese fermented soybeans and bread is definitely more of a unique combination.

Some of my Japanese friends have told me that they had never even thought to eat natto on their toast.

Until now!

Here a couple pairings that I put together and shared with my friends:

Idea #1:  Tuna, Avocado & Natto (T.A.N.) Open-Faced Sandwich

Idea #2:  Natto, Fishcake (chikuwa) & Cheese

These pairings are some of my favorites.

Try each idea out and hopefully you'll like them too.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Tortilla

Are you ready to start your morning off with a Japanese superfood?

Then it's "Natto Taco" time!

Breakfast-style!

This is definitely a unique combination, but it's oh so good.

Warm up a tortilla and scramble some eggs.

Put the eggs in the tortilla along with some sautéed veggies.

Add some leafy vegetables like romaine lettuce, and top all of it off with some fermented soybean goodness.

Add some avocado or any other condiments to your liking and enjoy your "Natto Taco."

The second idea I have is for meat lovers.

I call this idea "Meaty Natto Taco."

Cook up your favorite meat to your liking and put it in a warm tortilla.

Top the meat with natto and add some sautéed veggies, avocado, leafy romaine lettuce, cheese and salsa.

Close up the tortilla and enjoy!

What to Eat with Natto:  Noodles

There are a number of Japanese dishes with noodles, and adding natto to one of these dishes just gives it more yummy goodness.

Here are a few parings I've found to be tasty:

Idea #1:  Udon & Pickled Plum (umeboshi)

Idea #2:  Buckwheat Noodles (soba), Okura & Japanese Yam (yamaimo)

Idea #3:  Somen & Japanese Ginger (myoga)

These pairings are refreshing and a great way to enjoy some natto goodness.

Try out each idea to see which ones you like best.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Curry

Eating natto together with curry is definitely a unique combination and it's not found in most curry restaurants here in Japan.

I actually tried this on a whim for dinner one night and it turned out to be good.

Idea #1:  Vegetable Curry topped with Natto

Idea #2:  Other types of Curry topped with Natto

Try out these ideas to see which ones suit your palate best.

What to Eat with Natto:  Meat

Though this isn't the most common way to enjoy natto, eating meat together with these sticky, stringy beans is delicious.

I came across this idea at a pork restaurant and I think you're going to like it.

Idea #1:  Deep-fried Pork Cutlet (tonkatsu) topped with Natto

Have you ever tried tonkatsu?

This is a very popular food in Japan.

The tonkatsu is topped with natto and grated radish (daikon-oroshi).

It's served with a thick sauce that can be added to your liking.

If you're wanting to eat meat and some yummy natto goodness, then this dish is a must eat.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Fried Foods

If you're looking for a unique way to eat natto that tastes great, then you want to go for deep-fried.

This is actually the way that put me on my natto journey and I haven't looked back.

Idea #1:  Natto Poppers

1. Wrap natto with dried seaweed and form into a ball.
2. Dip in batter and then deep-fry.

Idea #2:  Natto Triangles

1. Wrap natto with dried seaweed and form into a triangle.
2. Dip in batter and then deep-fry.

Idea #3:  Natto & Fried Tofu (abura-age)

1. Boil the fried tofu for 1 minute.
2. Place the fried tofu on paper towels and gently remove any excess water.
3. Cut the fried tofu in half and open.
4. Mix natto with soy sauce and red chili pepper.
5. Put the natto and mozzarella cheese inside the tofu.
6. Put the fried tofu into the toaster oven on 250ºC and cook for 10 minutes (or until edges are crispy & light brown, and the cheese has melted).

Give these ideas a try to see which ones you like best.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to Eat with Natto:  Vegetables

Natto and vegetables is a combination that really goes well together.

In Japan, many Japanese people like to eat fermented soybeans topped with chopped Welsh onion (negi).

The onion adds color to the natto dish and serves as a refreshing palate cleanser.

It's one way that I enjoy eating these sticky, stringy beans too.

Here are a few more ways you can enjoy eating natto:

Idea #1:  Natto & Welsh Onion (negi)

Idea #2:  Natto & Grated Radish (daikon-oroshi)

Idea #3:  Natto & Japanese Ginger (myoga)

Idea #4:  Natto & Shiitake Mushrooms

Idea #5:  Natto & Garlic (nin-niku)

Add a dab of shoyu or ponzu and mix together.

Give these ideas a try to see which combinations suit your palate best.

Simply Natto:  Natto Lingo

What to do Next?

Why not make your own homemade fermented soybeans?

This article on "How to Make Natto with an All-In-One-Pot" will teach you how to make your very own natto from start to finish.

With your homemade sticky, stringy beans you'll be able to enjoy some natto goodness and try out the variety of traditional and unique natto dishes you just learned about.

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