10 Best Natto Brands Selected by Top Japanese Chefs

Packed with lots of nutrients, natto (納豆) is a superfood with over 1000 years of history, and now, it has become one of the delicacies representing Japan.

Today, the fermented soybean is prevailing in many countries and has become a fad mainly because of its health benefits.

In my country, a large variety is available at supermarkets. And from various types, as I listed in this post, you can choose what suits your preferences.

10 High-Quality Best Natto Brands

But don’t you want to know what products are good and recommended?

This time, let me introduce the top 10 natto brands ranked high by top Japanese chefs on a TV program for people who answer yes to this question.

Now, let’s get started. Here are the decided rankings that are worth knowing.

#10. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Toro Mame (金のつぶ とろっ豆) 

According to the official website of Mizkan (ミツカン), the natto from their Kin no Tsubu (金のつぶ: meaning Golden Grain) line,

Toro Mame (とろっ豆: Melty Bean), has a distinctive melt-in-the-mouth texture and goes perfectly on a warm bowl of white rice.

And that is 100 percent true based on my experience. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Toro Mame consists of

• Gokusho Natto made with Non-GMO soybeans from the United States or Canada
• Tare sauce using Shiitake, Katsuo (bonito), and Kombu (kelp seaweed) (including amino acid seasoning)

#9. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Ume Kurozu Tare (金のつぶ 梅風味黒酢たれ)

The official site of Mizkan says this natto is characterized by its pleasantly sour-sweet tare sauce using Ume plum flesh and Kurozu (黒酢: Black Rice Vinegar).

Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Ume Kurozu Tare Natto consists of

• Kotsubu Natto made with Non-GMO soybeans from the United States or Canada
• Tare sauce using Ume flesh, black rice vinegar, and Kombu (including amino acid seasoning)

#8. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Nama-Shoga Tare Umai Natto (生生姜タレ 旨い 納豆)

Based on the official site of Mizkan, this product is now unavailable and replaced with different flavors.

#7. Tengu Natto Maru-Cup Natto (丸カップ納豆)

Tengu Natto (天狗納豆), founded in 1910, is a well-known natto brand from Mito, a city in Ibaraki Prefecture famed for producing natto.

For those curious, the detailed information and online store are here. Tengu Natto Maru-Cup consists of

• Natto made with carefully selected, domestic Non-GMO soybeans

#6. Takano Foods Okame Natto Marudaizu Natto (おかめ納豆 国産丸大豆納豆)

Okame Natto (おかめ納豆) from Takano Foods (タカノフーズ) is Japan’s No.1 best-selling natto brand, and you can buy this product at most supermarkets.

Takano Foods Okame Natto Maru-Daizu (丸大豆: meaning Whole Soybean) Natto consists of

• Chutsubu Natto made with domestic Non-GMO soybeans
• Tare sauce using a flavorful dashi blend of Katsuobushi (dried bonito shavings), Niboshi (dried young sardine), and Kombu (including amino acid seasoning)

#5. Hoya Natto Yuuki Kotsubu Natto (有機認証 国産小粒)

Awarded the Mito Mayor’s Prize in the 2015 National Natto Kanpyokai (competition), the Yuuki Kotsubu Natto from Hoya Natto (保谷納豆) is a high-grade organic natto product.

You can see the info on their official website, where the product is available for 160 yen. Hoya Natto Yuuki Kotsubu Natto consists of

• Kotsubu Natto made with carefully selected, domestic Non-GMO soybeans
• Tare sauce and Karashi with no chemical seasonings, preservatives, and colors

#4. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Tamago Shoyu Tare Natto (金のつぶ たまご醤油たれ)

According to the official website of Mizkan, this natto pairs deliciously with a warm bowl of white rice, accompanied by a rich Tamago Shoyu Tare (たまご醤油たれ: Egg-flavored Soy Sauce).

And that is 100 percent true based on my experience. Mizkan Kin no Tsubu Tamago Shoyu Tare Natto consists of

• Gokusho Natto made with Non-GMO soybeans from the United States or Canada
• Tare sauce using egg yolk (including amino acid seasoning)

#3. Azuma Foods Aosa Nori Tare Natto (アオサのりたれ)

Based on the official website of Azuma Foods (あづま食品), this natto is easy to eat with rice, and its soy sauce-based tare sauce has plenty of umami from Aosa nori.

Azuma Foods Aosa Nori Tare Natto consists of

• Gokusho Natto made with Non-GMO soybeans from the United States
• Tare sauce using Aosa nori (including amino acid seasoning)

#2. Takano Foods Okame Natto Goku-Kotsubu (おかめ納豆 極小粒)

The Goku-Kotsubu Natto from Takano Foods’ Okame Natto series is a long-selling product introduced in the 1980s and has become a staple in many households today.

As seen in this article, my family also loves it! Takano Foods Okame Natto Goku-Kotsubu consists of

• Gokusho Natto made with Non-GMO soybeans from the United States
• Tare sauce using Katsuobushi (including amino acid seasoning)

#1. Hoya Natto Kokusan Hikiwari (国産ひきわり)

With a delightful chew, this Hikiwari Natto from Hoya Natto tastes great with high natural sugar content.

Fortunately, this product (price: 130 yen) is available on their official site. Hoya Natto Kokusan Hikiwari consists of

• Hikiwari Natto made with domestic Non-GMO soybeans
• Tare sauce made from soy sauce, Katsuobushi extract, mirin, sugar, and brewed vinegar