5 from 1 vote

Servings

Fermented natto, sticky okra, grated yam, and a soft egg come together in this comforting Japanese rice bowl — perfect for a wholesome meal!

Looking for more simple natto recipes? Try my Natto Sushi Rolls, Natto Cheese Toast, or Natto Chahan!

Natto rice bowl with okra and yam served in a bowl.

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This quick natto rice bowl is ready in just 15 minutes.
It’s made from simple, clean ingredients
Enjoy authentic Japanese flavors at home!

Natto

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It has a sticky and gooey texture, is highly nutritious, and is a popular choice for breakfast in Japan. One of the most common ways to enjoy natto is by serving it over rice. Learn more about natto in Natto for Beginners: How to Eat and Enjoy It!

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

Ingredients for natto rice bowl with okra and yam.

Natto: You can find natto at Japanese or Asian grocery stores. Japanese natto typically comes with a sauce, which we will use in this recipe. If yours doesn’t include the sauce, you can substitute it with a bit of soy sauce.
Okra: Boil briefly for this recipe, or skip boiling if you prefer to eat it raw.
Yam: This yam, known as nagaimo, is slightly sticky and slimy. When grated, it becomes smooth and creamy, making it an excellent match for rice.
Egg: Make a soft egg for the topping, which adds richness and ties all the flavors together. If you prefer, a raw egg works just as well for this dish.
Sesame Oil and Soy Sauce: Drizzle over the top for a savory flavor.
Rice: Use freshly cooked Japanese short-grain rice as the base for a hearty bowl, or make use of leftover rice if you have it on hand.

How To Make Natto Rice Bowl: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Make soft eggs by placing them in hot water (with the heat turned off).

Step 2

Peel and grate the yam using a grater.

Step 3

Stir the natto thoroughly until it becomes sticky and foamy.

Step 4

Assemble the bowl by layering the rice, natto, okra, yam, and soft egg. Drizzle with sesame oil and soy sauce before serving.

Your natto rice bowl is ready to enjoy! It’s a delicious and satisfying meal!

Recipe Tips

Stir the natto until it becomes foamy and sticky to distribute its flavor evenly in the bowl.
Add a little chili oil or shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili spice) for a spicy kick.
Drizzle with ponzu sauce or squeeze fresh lemon juice for a refreshing flavor.
Try adding toppings like kimchi, avocado, or raw tuna (great if you enjoy sushi) for extra variety and flavor.

What To Serve With

I recommend serving it with a small salad or pickled vegetables and tofu miso soup to complement this natto rice bowl!

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Leave a Rating!

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Natto Rice Bowl with Okra and Yam

5 from 1 vote

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings:

Author: Juri Austin

Fermented natto, sticky okra, grated yam, and a soft egg come together in this comforting Japanese rice bowl — perfect for a wholesome meal!

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Ingredients

▢ 2 packs Natto, Use the included sauce packets for extra flavor
▢ 6 Okra
▢ 2 Eggs
▢ 4 inches Yam, 10 cm
▢ 2 servings Cooked Rice, for serving
▢ 1 tsp Sesame Oil, for serving
▢ 1 tsp Soy Sauce, for serving
▢ Toasted Sesame Seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Make the Soft Egg: Bring a pot of water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Gently place the eggs into the water, cover with a lid, and let them sit for 10 minutes.
Boil the Okra: Cut it into bite-sized pieces and boil them in hot water for 1 minute.
Grate the Yam: Peel and carefully grate the yam using a grater.
Mix the Natto: Open the natto packs and stir the beans well until they become nice and sticky. Add the included sauce packets and stir again briefly.
Assemble the Bowl: Scoop cooked rice into serving bowls. Layer the natto, boiled okra, grated yam, and soft egg on top. Drizzle with sesame oil and soy sauce, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Notes

Stir the natto until it becomes foamy and sticky to distribute its flavor in the bowl evenly.
Add a little chili oil or shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili spice) for a spicy kick.
Drizzle with ponzu sauce or squeeze fresh lemon juice for a refreshing flavor.
Try adding toppings like kimchi, avocado, or raw tuna (great if you enjoy sushi) for extra variety and flavor.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 10g

This nutritional information is estimated and provided for general reference only.

Course: Rice

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: natto rice bowl

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Juri Austin

Hi! I’m Juri, founder of Chef JA Cooks and the creator and photographer of this site. I’m here to guide you in authentic yet easy-to-follow Japanese recipes! Let’s explore the world of Japanese cuisine together!

Learn More About Juri

One Comment

Juri Austin says:

Feb 6, 2025 at 10:04 AM

Thank you for visiting the comment section. Here, you can leave me feedback with a star rating. Readers like yourself may find comments helpful when making one of my recipes. I hope you love this one as much as I do!

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