Natto
Sticky fermented soybeans
Think of it as: Like baked beans with a stringy, cheesy funk
The more you stir, the stringier it gets!
What does it taste like?
Sticky strings and a distinctive smell. The flavor itself is mild and beany.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSticky and stringy
What is it?
Steamed soybeans fermented with natto bacteria. It has sticky strings and a distinctive smell. Plenty of people from outside Japan can't stand it.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Mixed with sauce and mustard and eaten on rice. A breakfast staple.
Watch it
JapaneseTap to play (YouTube)This video is not in English. YouTube auto-translated captions can help.
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇯🇵Japan
CapitalTokyo
Populationabout 122 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCars, Electronic components and machinery, Tourism, Anime and games
Common surnamesSato, Suzuki, TakahashiFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
HelloKonnichiwa
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Fun factFunazushi is the ancestor of today's nigiri sushi
The flag🇯🇵 The "Hinomaru": a red circle on white, standing for the sun.
Best timeMarch to April for cherry blossoms and October to November for fall colors are the most popular.
Also trySushiRamenTempura
More from here🍣 Funazushi🐟 Kusaya🐝 Hachinoko🐛 Zazamushi🐡 Fugu no Ko Nukazuke🐴 Basashi🍍 Hoya
🇯🇵 Sounds & life in Japan
こんにちはHello（Konnichiwa）
Kanji, hiragana and katakana
Kanji, hiragana and katakana
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Anthem"Kimigayo"
MusicJ-pop Japanese pop that pairs perfectly with anime
SportBaseball
Shohei Ohtani (baseball; a two-way star pitching and hitting in the Major Leagues) World HeritageHimeji Castle and more National animalGreen pheasant (national bird) National flowerCherry blossom and chrysanthemum (unofficial) FestivalGion Matsuri (July, Kyoto)
MusicJ-pop Japanese pop that pairs perfectly with anime
SportBaseball
Shohei Ohtani (baseball; a two-way star pitching and hitting in the Major Leagues) World HeritageHimeji Castle and more National animalGreen pheasant (national bird) National flowerCherry blossom and chrysanthemum (unofficial) FestivalGion Matsuri (July, Kyoto)
Ingredients
- Soybeans 200 g
- Natto starter (or a little store-bought natto), a little
- Hot water, a little
- 1 container that holds heat
How to make it (one way)
- Soak the soybeans in water overnight
- Steam (or boil) until soft
- Mix in the natto starter while hot
- Keep warm at about 40°C for around 1 day
- Rest in the fridge overnight and it's done