Natto, a typical Japanese dish known for its unpleasant smell, but not only! We present it to you from all angles!
The natto and its singular smell
Natto 納豆 is a dish of fermented soy beans with a slimy, gooey appearance. Its very peculiar smell can repel many, especially foreigners who are not familiar with this yet very popular dish. Japanese people eat it daily for breakfast with Japanese rice and Japanese mustard called karashi. Natto is also known for its benefits. Indeed, it is rich in protein, vitamin, and has favorable effects on the intestinal flora. It is a healthy dish, ideal for vegetarians!
The first time I saw natto, the smell surprised me, indeed it is very disturbing but once I tasted it, I found that its taste was less strong than its smell. I think that once you get used to the smell, you appreciate the dish. This can be compared to cheese in France. Foreigners who don’t eat much cheese will find most of our specialties unappetizing. Its texture is also particular, slimy and sticky, but personally it did not bother me.
Tasting natto
The natto is energetically mixed with Japanese chopsticks until it takes a foamy consistency. Then it is mixed one last time with Japanese mustard karashi and shoyu soy sauce. It is eaten with hot Japanese rice.
Some people add other ingredients such as raw egg yolk negi (Japanese spring onion), umeboshi (Japanese salted plum), small sardines chirimen jako, the aji nori…