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For the Love of Natto!

Ranked #3,374 in Food & Cooking, #65,045 overall

Natto Lovers Unite!

I've created this Lens as a safe haven for Natto Lovers around the world to share their Natto memoirs, recipes and reviews, and initiate the adventurous gourmet to the bittersweet delights of Natto!


Be sure to click on highlighted text to get the scoops on locations, recipes and other resources for the love of natto!

Natto on Flickr

Natto maki

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nato 001

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Natto sushi unraveled

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My Natto Story

type=textNatto is a traditional Japanese soybean product, an "acquired taste" I grew up with. From my earliest memories, I recall watching Natto spooned into the smallest white wire-handled takeout box at Modern Food Market in Little Tokyo Los Angeles, for dinner at my grandparents' house on the weekends. Now I watch the lone plate or two of Natto Sushi travel 'round and 'round the conveyor-belt sushi bar, but discreetly ask for a "fresh plate" (an oxymoron, no doubt) at the end of my meal. Even amongst my Japanese American friends, there seems to be a level of social comfort one needs in order to reveal this love affair with Natto. It wasn't until I shared my secret with guests at an annual Japanese New Year feast, that I discovered other Natto Lovers in my midst! (Photo courtesy of "eecue" on flickr.com, under a Creative Commons license.)

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Natto on YouTube

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Natto on Rice

Natto is traditionally eaten on top of hot rice, often with a bit of soy sauce, salt or purchased Natto Sauce.

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Natto Cuisine

Chance encounters and natto rendevous

type=textSavory natto stuffed pockets of aburaage (fried tofu, pictured right), at Tsukuneya Robata Grill

Buy natto at Marukai in Southern California or on Oahu. Also Don Quijote in Hawaii and Japan.

OMG! Tokkuri-Tei in Honolulu has the most awesome Ahi/Natto bowl on their lunch menu. A whole Natto meal, in a bowl... a big bowl!

My friends at Kuru Kuru Sushi Pearl Kai in Aiea, serve up generous portions of mito (minced) natto ontop of their nori-wrapped sushi, at bargain prices. I hear there is a new KKS soon to open in Kahala Mall, east Oahu!

***NEW*** Natto Taste Test Report

A sampling of brands found in Honolulu.

type=textJust a handful of boxes purchased at Marukai for this lens photo-op, at a range from 'sale item' to 'top dollar' prices ($1.89 to $4, an economical splurge!) One locally produced, "Made in Hawaii," the rest imported frozen from Japan. Whole bean, small bean, minced bean; styrofoam packaging from two to four servings or a set of individual paper serving cups (not pictured); flavoring packets included, mixed in after thawing, were shiso (perilla herb) or traditional bonito (fish) seasoned soy sauce, with or without hot mustard. Frozen packets were opened and thawed individually in the microwave on "thaw" for one minute, with no ill effect on product. Read on for results below...

Have a good source in your area or a restaurant to recommend? Please post it here, and we'll add it to the mix!

  • cuteordeath Apr 27, 2011 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    In the SF bay area, you can get natto from Japan Traditional Foods. It's organic and fresh (unfrozen) and comes in paper cups (not styrofoam). I was really blown away by how much better it tasted than frozen natto (and I love plain ol' frozen natto. ^^)
    Their site: http://www.meguminatto.com/
  • alohabc Feb 19, 2012 @ 4:00 pm | delete
    Mahalo for the recommendation, cuteordeath!
  • alohabc Jan 29, 2011 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    I'd recommend asking at sushi bars in your neighborhood, wherever that may be. A good sushi bar should have access to ordering through their wholesale suppliers. Secondly, natto is a popular item at Japanese 'izakaya' restaurants, which feature small plates/appetizers popular with the drinking crowd. Savory natto is great paired with with beer or sake!
  • beadinggem Jul 15, 2010 @ 8:03 am | delete
    Good lens as only a true natto lover can make!
  • Shawnee Jul 14, 2009 @ 9:59 pm | delete
    Natto is my favorite snack. It is the answer to the question "if you could pick one food you could eat for the rest of your life what would it be." I am 100% American and it surprises everyone when they find out I like it... if they even know what it is.
    I am wondering if anyone knows of any Sushi places in NYC that serve natto either in sushi or plain over rice.
    Please let me know!
  • Payne Apr 16, 2009 @ 5:15 pm | delete
    I love natto, I'm from Malaysia, I started having natto about 3 weeks ago, currently I even homebrewing my own natto :),
    I eat natto the general way by adding shoyu & mustard, natto toast, natto spaghetti and natto with steam rice. I could be trying to make natto curry rice, natto mayonaise or whateva ways.
  • PL Lee Jul 15, 2010 @ 10:51 am | delete
    Where can i but\y natton at Klang Valley in Malayisa.
  • coral Aug 7, 2010 @ 1:08 pm | delete
    hi, payne
    i am chinese malaysia. i really wish to try natto, but i don't know where i could get it.
    do u know where can i buy? how you brewing ur own natto?? can you teach me?
    my email is coralnsh@yahoo.com
    hope to hear your reply as soon as possible. thank you.
  • Hazel Dec 10, 2008 @ 8:19 pm | delete
    I love Natto . I also was raised on this,and love it. My husband also loves Natto. Whenever we eat out at a Japanese restaurant we are always asked how we became accustomed to natto, I tell them that I ate it as a young girl.
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My Natto Whatevahs

Natto Defined, Essentials, Recipes, Glossary, Hints, Tips & Tricks

type=textA Very Special Offer, For the Love of Natto!

Alohabc's Natto Mentaiko Spaghetti

Alohabc's Maguro Natto Izakaya Appetizer

Alohabc's Natto Soba (Buckwheat) Noodles

Alohabc's Natto Curry Plate

***NEW!*** IHeartNatto on CafePress!

Network for Natto... you may be discovered by your Natto-loving soulmate!
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Wear the Scarlet "N" proudly!

Natto Kitchen Aides

Please add your recommendations, too!

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Grater - Porcelain

Grater - Porcelain

Porcelain grater for finely grating fruits, vegeta more...0 points

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Joyce Chen 12 by 3-1/2 Inch Asian Mandoline

Joyce Chen 12 by 3-1/2 Inch Asian Mandoline

For fast slicing and fine juliennes (and easy clea more...0 points

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Panasonic SR-G06FG 3.3-Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer

Panasonic SR-G06FG 3.3-Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer

Budget Basic: Panasonic - SRG06FG - Rice Cooker St more...0 points

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Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Steel

Zojirushi NS-LAC05 Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Stainless Steel

The "RollsRoyce" of Rice Cookers: The Mi more...0 points

Natto Online

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Vegan ingredients, vegan recipes, vegan restaurants - Vegan World ...

Natto is a traditional Japanese food product made more...0 points

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NetCooks - Natto Sushi - Hiromi Kubo Recipe

Japanese Recipe! - 2 sheets Nori 1 cup Sushi Rice more...0 points

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Natto Project

An experiment in the acquisition of a taste. The d more...0 points

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Metropolis - Big in Japan: Natto

Big in Japan: Tokyo Classified's Big in Japan page more...0 points

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Natt%u014D - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Redirected more...0 points

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http://archive.japantoday.com/jp/shukan/343

Aya Ueto recommends curry natto0 points

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http://www.ynest.com/nattoeng.htm

Welcome to Natto Land, how to make0 points

Natto Poll

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Natto Taste Test Results

and the winner is...

type=textUh, who knows?!?

Since I don't read the language, all I can tell you is that this package had a shelf label at the store which read, "Hokkaido," "100% Organic." Honestly, it surprised me that I selected this one since it was very basic, traditionally seasoned with bonito & hot mustard packets. I love shiso pickles and fresh with sushi & sashimi, so I thought I'd enjoy the flavor in my natto. However, the herbal notes seems to conflict with the 'earthiness' of natto. (Don't let this discourage you from trying, everyone has different tastebuds!) While some brands appear and disappear from the shelves depending on supply sources, I've come across this brand consistently at Marukai and now Don Quijote (formerly Daiei) in Honolulu.

That being said, I wouldn't spend too much time hunting down one particular brand, but recommend doing your own taste test like this one to identify your style/flavor/cost preferences and continue refining your choices from there. Much of the fun is in the experimentation. Enjoy!

American Public Media's The Splendid Table

Listen to the broadcast

The Splendid Table, March 25: Umami
"If you've always suspected that taste goes beyond science's big four of sweet, sour, salt and bitter your instincts are right. This week we're looking at umami..."

Amazon Spotlight

The Fifth Taste: Cooking with Umami

The Fifth Taste: Cooking with Umami

by: Anna Kasabian, David Kasabian

Amazon Price: $33.00 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Natto Lovers may enjoy this book.

Reader Feedback

We'd love to hear from you! Post a shoutout for Natto here.

  • Carol from PA Oct 8, 2011 @ 10:58 am | delete
    I've been hearing about Natto and it's health benefits. Bought some yesterday, cheap enough. A buck for 2 servings. It had a bit of a coffee smell upon opening. Mixed it with brown rice and the mustard packet. It was only ok, today I heated hot sesame oil, added brown rice and natto. Cooked it for a few minutes, removed from heat then soy sauce and a bit of chinese black vinegar. This might just become a daily breakfast treat! I might try adding chopped green veggies.
  • cuteordeath Apr 27, 2011 @ 6:02 pm | delete
    I eat natto everyday! My coworkers look at me like I'm nuts. ^^
  • Lars Jan 27, 2009 @ 1:25 pm | delete
    I love Natto... tobad I just found one restaurant serving it in vienna, Austria.... Not like Socal where you can get it in every 2nd sushibar...
    If you know a place in Vienna austria.... please post or contact us through www.llohtec.com
    Thank you !!
  • alohabc Jun 9, 2008 @ 3:40 am | delete
    Whoa, BrianBlades! Pastrami & Natto?!? Now that's what I call hardcore!
  • BrianBlades Jun 9, 2008 @ 2:49 am | delete
    I love natto. I love it on hot rice of course but also as a sandwich. toasted bread, pastrami maynoise
  • KonaGirl Apr 24, 2008 @ 3:14 pm | delete
    I haven't had any Natto since I left home in Hawaii. Now I'm hungry for it. I'll have to find a Japanese restaurant around here that carries it.
    Big Island of Hawaii
  • alohabc Sep 21, 2007 @ 2:48 pm | delete
    Aloha Jimmie! I hoped to peak curiosity without scaring anyone off in their first reading! I've defined and described Natto and some of our favorite add-ins in the links under "Natto Whatevahs". Checkout the Special Offer link or Natto Mentaiko Spaghetti recipe for much more info on Natto! ~alohabc
  • Jimmie Sep 21, 2007 @ 9:45 am | delete
    I've never heard of Natto. Interesting. I'd like to try it. Does it taste like tofu? Is it mushy? Firm?
    I don't quite understand what it is.
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alohabc

Aloha!  Hope you enjoy my lenses!  ~alohabc

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