RECIPE: Natto Miso Soup
In some parts of Japan, natto is often consumed in hot miso soup (natto-jiru) instead of rice. A typical Natto-Jiru is a hearty winter dish with origins in Yamagata prefecture in the northern mainland of Japan. It consists of a basic miso soup base, loaded with hearty vegetables (e.g. daikon radish, potatoes, carrots, shitake mushrooms), tofu and natto. Traditionally, the natto would be chopped or mashed into a paste before adding into the soup, which would then be boiled for some time before serving.
Should I Cook Natto?
To maximize the preservation of natto’s probiotic and other functional components like nattokinase enzymes, we generally recommend to try to avoid boiling or cooking natto extensively at high temperatures.
Adding natto to hot foods at the very end of cooking or just before serving will allow it to retain its full activity.
Miso soup is increasingly popular and easily available here in the US. Miso is an easy-to-use, savory soy-based broth base that can be used as a versatile alternative to meat or vegetable stock.
So here’s our easy modern spin on Natto-Jiru, a simple Natto Miso Soup. The earthy, nutty flavor of the natto is complemented nicely by the umami-rich flavor of the miso broth. When diluted into soup the sticky texture of the natto becomes barely noticeable. This is a definite bonus for those still acquiring a liking for neba-neba!
If you’re using an instant miso soup mix, no recipe is needed! Simply dissolve the miso soup components in hot water according to instructions and mix in a tablespoon of our fresh natto!
If you’re making natto from miso paste for the first time, here is a recipe—so simple, healthy & good!
Natto Miso Soup Recipe
Serves 1
On stovetop, bring ~1 cup of water /serving to boil, then reduce to simmer.
Into the water, dissolve 1-2 heaping tbsp. of miso paste/ serving or to taste. In Japan, a fish dashi-based broth is used instead of water to start; a dilute vegetable or chicken stock can also be used to deepen the soup’s flavor, but I find that miso alone works fine, especially with the richness of the added natto.
Typical fixings to add to a miso soup broth include diced tofu, wakame and scallions.
Divide soup into individual serving bowls and add ~1-2 tbsp. of natto.
For more recipes ways to eat natto visit our Natto Recipes page.