English Top > Foods Column > Natto

Natto

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, usually eaten with soy sauce and karashi mustard.

Even among Japanese natto can be an acquired taste due to its distinct and strong smell and flavor and sticky consistency. It is mainly eaten in the eastern Kanto region and less popular in the Kansai region.

In recent years, however, natto has become more widespread due to its health benefits. It has always been eaten for breakfast as a good source of protein, but now is sought for the nattokinase enzyme in natto which is valued as a blood thinner to prevent blood clotting.

Natto is traditionally eaten with rice but is now introduced in a variety of recipes such as pasta, omelets, or simply eaten with avocado.