Natto: 7 Best Seasonings that Make Natto Taste Good

Have you ever tried “Natto (納豆)”? As you know, Natto is a superfood made from soybeans fermented with Natto bacteria.

But since the fermented soybeans have a peculiar odor and slimy consistency, many people, even Japanese, hate the stinky and sticky food, though I like it.

Like this, Natto has people divided between those who like it and those who hate it, but the fermented beans are such a healthy and nutritious food, so don’t you want to make it taste good with some seasoning or food?

7 Seasonings and Foods for Natto Beans

Actually, a number of seasonings and foods match well with Natto, and today I will introduce those things, which in fact we Japanese like to add to the fermented soybeans.

Mayonnaise 

Image: mayomania.com

Some Japanese like dressing Natto with mayonnaise. More precisely, in addition to mayo, they add Karashi mustard and soy sauce that come with the Natto pack and like garnishing it with chopped green onions and a raw egg.

Daikon Oroshi

Image: cookpad.com

Many Japanese like to eat Natto with soy sauce and grated daikon radish or “Daikon Oroshi (大根おろし)”, which has a refreshing flavor that calms a characteristic smell of Natto. 

Shirasu or Chirimen-Jako

Shirasu or Chirimen-Jako are dried young sardines that are commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Actually, the combination of Shirasu and Natto seasoned with soy sauce goes well with white rice and some people like to add Daikon Oroshi to it. 

Taberu Rayu

Image: sbfoods.co.jp

Chili oil with crunchy fried garlic, generally called “Taberu Rayu (食べるラー油)“, is a new type of seasoning (condiment) that has become popular in recent years in Japan, and some Japanese like to garnish Natto with it.

Canned Tuna 

Image: cookpad.com

Canned tuna can make Natto taste good, and in fact, some Japanese love this combination. Basically, the food combo is seasoned with soy sauce, sometimes with mayonnaise added.

Shichimi Togarashi

Image: Yahoo Blog (Dietsenryu)

Made up of ground red chili pepper and other six aromatic spices, Shichimi Togarashi is a traditional Japanese spice mix, and if you want to make Natto a little spicy and more flavorful, this is one of your best options.

Kimchi

The Korean pickle, Kimchi is a healthy food that can help you lose weight, and actually so is Natto. Hence the food combo, Kimchi Natto is good for the diet, and what is better, the spicy Korean pickles can make Natto taste good.