Natto Senbei: Rice Crackers with Fermented Soybeans

Made by fermenting steamed soybeans with natto bacteria, Natto is a superfood packed with nutrients but infamous for its unpleasant smell and slimy consistency.

However, we Japanese not only eat Natto as it is but also dry the fermented beans to make them a snack called Hoshi Natto (干し納豆).

Akita Inafuku Natto Senbei

By the way, the Senbei rice cracker I bought today has bits of Hoshi Natto, similar to Hikiwari Natto, scattered on the surface.

Natto Senbei (納豆せんべい)

Natto Senbei Rice Cracker

The Senbei flecked with dried Natto flakes is called Natto Senbei (納豆せんべい). These crackers are brushed with sweet soy sauce and sprinkled with freeze-dry Natto flakes. 

Drying Natto diminishes the stickiness and sliminess, making the beans pretty easy to eat.

When I opened the bag, a characteristic smell of Natto wafted out from the inside, but the Senbei itself was very savory and almost didn’t have the taste of Natto.

Related Recipes

Natto Senbei Rice Crackers

Although I haven’t tried the method yet, I think you can make Natto Senbei at home by combining these recipes (this and this) if you can prepare the fermented soybeans.

Tomo

Hi, I'm Tomo, a Japanese blogger living in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. For the purpose of enriching your life, I would like to introduce things about Japan on this blog, especially unique Japanese products, cooking recipes, cultures, and facts and trivia.

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