8 Ways To Enjoy Natto Rice: The Best Japanese Breakfast

Natto is a Japanese superfood; the best way to eat it is Natto Rice. Let's learn how you can prepare it and explore 8 tasty topping ideas!

Natto, fermented soybeans, is a nutritious food known for its gut-friendly properties, promoting a healthy digestive system.

Natto Rice offers a simple and convenient way to enjoy this natural goodness. While its unique taste may not be for everyone, if you are curious, take the first step in learning this recipe and explore the unique world of Natto!

This recipe is for you if:
• You want to try Japanese natto.
• You are looking for natto recipe ideas
• You want to try Natto Rice (Natto Gohan).
• You are looking for how to make Natto Rice.

If you want to check the recipe immediately, please visit the link below. Let's get started!

Jump to:

• About This Recipe
• A Brief Overview of Natto
• Natto Rice: The Best Breakfast
• 📋 Ingredients
• Where To Buy Natto
• 🔪Instructions
• Serve
• Helpful Tips to Manage Stringy Natto
• Storage
• Topping Variations
• Tasty Natto Recipes
• Thanks For Stopping By!
• 📖 Recipe
• Natto Rice: Japanese Fermented Soybeans Recipe
• Explore Natto More with 30 Natto Recipes!
• 💬 Comments

About This Recipe

• Natto Rice (Natto over the rice)
• The most simple way to eat Natto
• Traditional Japanese dish
• Eight topping ideas
• And more natto recipe ideas

A Brief Overview of Natto

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made by fermenting whole soybeans and is known for its unique characteristics.

Despite its sticky texture and strong smell, natto is a healthy food, rich in dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin K, offering several health benefits.

Natto has a unique flavor profile accompanied by a strong aroma and texture. Some compare its acquired taste to that of aged cheese. If you're open to trying new flavors, natto can be a nutritious addition to your diet.

Learn more in What is Natto? A Quick Guide to Japanese Superfood.

Natto Rice: The Best Breakfast

Natto rice, known as Natto Gohan in Japanese, is a quick, easy, and healthy traditional Japanese breakfast, often included on the breakfast menu of Japanese-style hotels. This dish involves placing Natto over a bowl of steamed white rice (or brown rice for a nutritious option). It's a delicious way to enjoy Natto's unique flavors and health benefits.

📋 Ingredients

Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).

• Cooked rice: We eat short-grain rice in Japan, which pairs perfectly with natto. If you are not familiar with cooking Japanese rice, click this recipe to learn How to Cook Japanese rice.
• Natto: See below

Natto

If you visit Japanese grocery stores or convenience stores, you will often find packs of natto, as shown in the image above.

Each pack contains natto sauce and karashi mustard (Japanese mustard) and serves approximately 50g. If your natto doesn't include sauce, you can easily substitute it with soy sauce for a similar flavor.

The most popular brand of natto is Okame Natto, recognizable by the woman's face on the packaging in the above picture.

Where To Buy Natto

If you reside outside of Japan, you can locate natto at Asian grocery stores or Japanese supermarkets listed below. Look for it in the tofu section or frozen section of these stores.

• Japanese market: Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai
• Asian market
• Whole Foods Market
• Health food stores
• Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon

🔪Instructions

Ok, let me show you how to prepare Natto Rice. Click here to watch the Natto rice recipe video.

Serve

Enjoy the delicious, savory taste of natto right away!

This recipe provides a simple and straightforward method to enjoy Natto rice. However, if you want to explore some delightful toppings, I've got you covered with a list of topping ideas below.

Helpful Tips to Manage Stringy Natto

1. Mix well: Before eating, give your Natto a good mix to evenly distribute the stickiness throughout the beans. This can help reduce the sensation of long, stringy strands. See more below.
2. Swirl your utensil: After putting a bite into your mouth, gently swirl your chopsticks or spoon to cut through the sticky strings. This can prevent them from becoming tangled and floating around.
3. Take smaller bites: To minimize the stringy texture, try taking smaller bites of Natto.

What Happens If You Mix Natto Well

When you mix natto with the sauce thoroughly, the natto develops a fluffier and softer texture, with a white, gooey substance surrounding it. This leads to not only incorporates more air but also reduces the stringiness, resulting in a more enjoyable taste.

Moreover, this process enhances the umami (savory taste) sensation derived from soybeans, and you will have a more flavorful experience.

So, I recommend mixing the natto thoroughly, going for about 100 or even 200 times. Give it a whirl and discover the delightful difference it makes!

Storage

Keep natto in the fridge or freezer. When eating frozen natto, please leave it in the refrigerator for a half-day to defrost naturally. No microwave oven, as it ruins the taste.

Topping Variations

Natto rice is delicious on its own, but it becomes even more enjoyable with a range of toppings. From the spicy kimchi to the creamy avocado, you will find various topping options below!

1. Scallions

Finely chopped scallions are a classic topping for natto. They bring a fresh and aromatic element to Natto rice and add a touch of vibrant color. Green onions and spring onions work well too.

2. Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional Korean pickle made from fermented cabbage or other vegetables, and it is also popular among Japanese people who appreciate fermented foods. It adds a tangy and spicy flavor to Natto rice.

3. Boiled Egg

The boiled egg is a simple and protein-rich topping that complements the flavors of Natto rice. You can slice or chop the boiled egg before adding it to your dish.

4. Okra

Okra, known for its unique slimy texture when cooked, adds a distinct freshness to Natto rice. For an extra layer of flavor, you can top it with katsuobushi, which are thin shavings of dried bonito flakes.

5. Daikon

Grated Daikon radish provides a refreshing flavor that complements the savory natto. Click here to learn how to grate daikon.

6. Avocado

Creamy and rich, avocado adds a smooth and buttery texture to Natto rice. Adding a bit of salt on top further enhances the overall taste.

7. Umeboshi

Umeboshi is a salty and tangy pickled plum that gives Natto rice a burst of flavor. It is commonly used as a condiment in Japanese cuisine.

8. Nagaimo

Nagaimo is a Japanese mountain yam, a starchy root vegetable that can be grated and added to Natto rice for a creamy and slightly slimy texture.

My favorite is Natto rice with kimchi (which is also fermented food)! The spice adds more flavor to the Natto.

More Topping Variations

• Condiment: miso paste, mayonnaise, wasabi (Japanese horseradish)
• Oil: olive oil, sesame oil
• Vegetables: sliced onion, tomatoes, shiso leaves
• Others: cheese, raw egg

Tasty Natto Recipes

Natto goes well with carbs such as rice and bread or noodles. You can eat it straight from the package (I often do), but cooking with other ingredients makes for an even better experience.

Let me share my favorite natto recipes! Click here to find out "How To Eat Natto and 10 Easy Japanese Recipes".

Thanks For Stopping By!

If you have any questions, please comment in the section below!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡. If you've tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!

Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.

More Natto Recipes You Might Like

• Natto Omlette
• Natto Egg Toast
• Natto Cheese Toast
• Natto Udon Noodle Bowl
• Natto Sushi Roll
• Natto Miso Soup
• Natto Chahan

📖 Recipe

Explore Natto More with 30 Natto Recipes!