Natto Roll (Japanese Natto Sushi Recipe)

5 from 5 votes

If you love natto, this Natto Roll is an easy Japanese maki sushi that’s sure to become a favorite. It’s perfect for finger food or packing in your bento lunchbox!

Looking for natto recipes? Try my Natto Rice Bowl, Natto Cheese Toast, or Natto Chahan!

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

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Natto Roll is a beloved sushi roll with a savory and unique flavor.
Packed with plant-based protein, it’s a nutritious option.
It’s a great way to introduce kids to natto.

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 “How to Eat Natto: A Beginner’s Guide“

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Natto Roll Recipe:

Japanese short-grain rice: We use short-grain rice, which is sticky, fluffy, and perfect for making sushi rolls. If you haven’t cooked it, please see this recipe: “How to cook Japanese short-grain rice on the stove.”
Natto: Hikiwari natto, made by crushing soybeans, removing the skin, and fermenting them, is used in this recipe. If you can’t find Hikiwari natto, regular natto works just as well.
Nori Sheets are crisp dried seaweed in sheet form. In this recipe, use a full-size nori sheet and divide it in half.
Rice Vinegar, Sugar, and Salt for vinegared rice. Other types of vinegar might be too strong for the rice, so I highly recommend using rice vinegar. You can also use store-bought seasoned rice vinegar.

Makisu (Bamboo Sushi Mat)

A makisu, a bamboo mat or sushi rolling mat, is a traditional tool for rolling sushi. It is made from thin bamboo strips woven together with string. The Makisu provides support and helps shape the sushi roll while keeping the ingredients tightly wrapped.

*If you don’t have a Makisu, you can still make sushi using a sheet of plastic wrap as a substitute.

How To Make Natto Roll: 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

Mix the natto with the natto sauce.

Step 2

Combine the sushi vinegar ingredients.

Step 3

Pour the vinegar over the rice and stir.

Step 4

Place the nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat and spread the rice.

Step 5

Put the natto in the center.

Step 6

Roll it tightening with your fingers.

Cut the natto roll into small pieces and serve! Feel free to dip it in soy sauce and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Spread the rice thinly to prevent the natto from spilling out when you roll.
Nori sheet has a front and back. The smooth side is the front side, so wrap it with the front side down.
When cutting, have a wet cloth ready. Moistening the knife before slicing makes the rice not stick and makes it easy to cut.

Your Questions Answered

I don’t have a Makisu (bamboo sushi mat).

You can use cling wrap instead.

Can I use regular rice, not sushi rice?

Yes, you can. It won’t be sushi, but you can use regular rice and make the natto roll. Especially if you want to cut down on sugar and salt (included in sushi vinegar), it would be a great idea.

Can I use long-grain rice for sushi rolls?

Yes, you can, but they fall apart easily, so I highly recommend using short-grain rice.

Natto fell out when rolling. How can I prevent that?

Place the rice thinly. It’s okay if the rice is not filled out completely.

I want to make it for a 3-year-old son.

Seaweed can be tough for young children to chew, so cutting it into small pieces makes it easier for them to eat.

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Natto Roll (Japanese Natto Sushi Recipe)

5 from 5 votes

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Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 45

Servings: 6 rolls

Author: Juri Austin

If you love natto, this Natto Roll is an easy Japanese maki sushi that's sure to become a favorite. It's perfect for finger food or packing in your bento lunchbox!

Equipment

Makisu (Bamboo sushi mat) （You can also use cling wrap to roll sushi)

Ingredients

▢ 400 g Cooked Japanese rice, 2 US cups
▢ 2 packs Natto , 100g (Use the attached sauce)
▢ 3 sheets Nori, full sheets

Sushi vinegar

▢ 1½ Tbsp Rice Vinegar
▢ ½ tsp Salt
▢ ½ Tbsp Sugar

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

Preparation: Cut nori sheets in half and mix the natto with the sauce.
Make sushi rice: Combine the sushi vinegar ingredients well, pour it over the rice in a bowl, and stir with a rice paddle until evenly.
Put sushi rice: Place the nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat, place 1/2 rice paddle of sushi rice on the nori sheet, and spread it thinly, leaving about 1 cm at the end of the nori sheet.
Roll: Put natto on the rice and roll it while gently tightening with your fingers from the front.
Cut: After the nori sheet gets softened, wet your knife with a cloth and cut it into six equally.

Video

Notes

Substitution: You can substitute sushi vinegar with seasoned rice vinegar.
If you spread the rice thinly, the natto will not stick out when you finish rolling.
Nori sheet has front and back. The smooth side is the front side, so wrap it with the front side down.
For small children, I recommend cutting the roll into eight evenly.