Natto?

[eimik]

Mmmmm natto on a bed of freshly steam rice.

Oh so super oishi!

[Iron Chef]

Doh! try as I might... I must admit i'm not particularly fond of Natto. I know it's an acquired taste really, and while i've had it in the past in various ways--it just doesn't seem palatable to me for some reason. Nevertheless, I do know several other foreigners who absolutely love it, heh. 8-)
:)

[ghettocities]

Originally posted by Iron Chef
Doh! try as I might... I must admit i'm not particularly fond of Natto. I know it's an acquired taste really, and while i've had it in the past in various ways--it just doesn't seem palatable to me for some reason. Nevertheless, I do know several other foreigners who absolutely love it, heh. 8-)
:)

I ate Curry for the first time in the 20 years I've been alive recently in Japan and it was gross, I've never ate Natto but I won't ever eat 98% of the food in Japan, I also want to give a recommendation for foreigners to NOT eat Umeboshi but do try to Kujira (whale), that sh*t is off the hook but its $$$.

Josh
http://www.ghettocitiesclothing.com
http://www.illustrASIANS.com

[thomas]

To be really honest: it doesn't taste that bad. But have you ever smelled your fingers after eating natto?

;)

[Maciamo]

That is probably the only food in the world (and I'm experienced) that makes me want to throw up. I can eat any fish, shellfish, snails, frogs, camel, crocodile, fried insects, scorpions, any fruit, vegetable, root, spice or mix of all these, but not natto, sorry.

[kirei_na_me]

Okay, I have to say that I hate natto. I can't even stand to look at it, much less eat it. I remember I went over to my friend's house one day, and she was scrambling it with eggs, and I said I'd be back later.

I don't like umeboshi either. Thinking of it makes my mouth water--not because it's good, but because it's so sour. Ick. Another thing that I can't get near is uni. I'll never put that in my mouth again. Never.

Hate to sound unsophisticated, but yuck.

[ghettocities]

Originally posted by Maciamo
That is probably the only food in the world (and I'm experienced) that makes me want to throw up. I can eat any fish, shellfish, snails, frogs, camel, crocodile, fried insects, scorpions, any fruit, vegetable, root, spice or mix of all these, but not natto, sorry.

Camel huh? I bet you never have tried any Camel's toe huh? I eat that all the time but if it hasen't been soaking it's tougher to chew.

Josh
http://www.ghettocitiesclothing.com
http://www.illustrASIANS.com

[mdchachi]

> Can you eat NATTO?!?!?

I can but I choose not to.

thomas, I don't think you're supposed to eat natto with your fingers!

kireiname,
I never cared much for uni either but one time I had super-fresh melt-in-your-mouth uni that was really, really good. It's one of those things that has to be fresh or it's crap.

I was ambivalent about Japanese food when I was first exposed to it but now I love it.

[kirei_na_me]

Yes, that's what I've been told about the uni. I have only had the opportunity to eat it here in the States, so of course it couldn't compare to the uni you can get in Japan.

Maybe I should give it another chance. ;)

[eimik]

dooode, you guys are totally crazee!

natto is pure goodness. And apparently not a lot of Okinawa people eat it because they are not accustomed to it. oh well.

Curry rice, the Japanese style totally rocks pants off. Mmm curry bun, curry udon...

Umeboshi rules all. Not the stuff you buy now at the grocery store thats loaded with perservitives. But the homemade style with all that salt.

Hmm i;'ll try to think of some more.

[ghettocities]

Originally posted by eimik
dooode, you guys are totally crazee!

natto is pure goodness. And apparently not a lot of Okinawa people eat it because they are not accustomed to it. oh well.

Curry rice, the Japanese style totally rocks pants off. Mmm curry bun, curry udon...

Umeboshi rules all. Not the stuff you buy now at the grocery store thats loaded with perservitives. But the homemade style with all that salt.

Hmm i;'ll try to think of some more.

Hahahahaa, I remember when I first saw Curry Udon I had asked my friend what animal had released its bowels on otherwise such a tasty tasty dish but then later I found myself liking Curry, it just looks different than a quarter pounder with chese.

Josh
http://www.ghettocitiesclothing.com
http://www.illustrASIANS.com

[Maciamo]

Not just Okinawan people. About half of the Japanese people can't eat natto. It's more popular in Kanto (Tokyo) than Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto), but I know quite a few Japanese in Tokyo who can't eat it either. More intriguing, I've found that even more Japanese cannot eat raw fish or some kind of seafood (especially shellfish). But I just love them ! ;) I don't like fried fish so much, first because I like juicy things, then because of all those tiny fishbones. That quite irritating to deal with when you are really hungry.:silly:

[Chipi]

Okay. I´m sorry, if I´m beeing rude etc., but I have to ask, just because I eagerly want to know.

What is it exactly, this Natto? :)

[Maciamo]

Hi Chipi,
You are not being rude at all by asking. Natto is a kind of Japanese food made of fermented (read "smelly and pungent") soybeans.

[mdchachi]

natto is pure goodness.
If by "goodness" you mean something that smells like athletic socks after a hard days workout and has the consistency of the slime they used in the movie Alien containing diarrhea-like chunks, then, yes, Natto is, indeed, pure goodness.

http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/natto.jpg

Even people who eat it will usually defend by it by saying how healthy it is, not by saying how nice it smells or tastes. I'm sure it's healthy but I'll stick with Tofu and other products for my soy protein.

[kirei_na_me]

If by "goodness" you mean something that smells like athletic socks after a hard days workout and has the consistency of the slime they used in the movie Alien containing diarrhea-like chunks, then, yes, Natto is, indeed, pure goodness.

Precisely...hehehe! :D

[eimik]

Originally posted by mdchachi
If by "goodness" you mean something that smells like athletic socks after a hard days workout and has the consistency of the slime they used in the movie Alien containing diarrhea-like chunks, then, yes, Natto is, indeed, pure goodness.


whoa whoa whoa!

its not cool to insult the food people eat, you poophead

[Maciamo]

wuahahah :D That was a pretty acurate description of how I see natto too. For some reason, people either love it or really hate it. The former always seem proud to like it and adopt a quite defensive attitude (like Eimik, but Japanese are like that between them too). Natto is certainly the most polemical kind of food in Japan. It even break couples (no, I am kidding here).

[thomas]

Originally posted by mdchachi
thomas, I don't think you're supposed to eat natto with your fingers!

LOLOL, thomas the savage only use fingers! Seriously, I had to open the package with my fingers and it turned out to be a sticky issue.

[mdchachi]

its not cool to insult the food people eat, you poophead

It's even less cool to insult people. Anyway, I was stating an opinion of the way nattou looks & smells to me. If you think it smells like roses & tastes like pizza, that's fine with me.

P.S. My comment was meant to be humorous (albeit accurate), I'm sorry if it offended you.

[eimik]

Originally posted by mdchachi
It's even less cool to insult people. Anyway, I was stating an opinion of the way nattou looks & smells to me. If you think it smells like roses & tastes like pizza, that's fine with me.

P.S. My comment was meant to be humorous (albeit accurate), I'm sorry if it offended you.

tehehe no worries buddy. In fact i wasnt even offended.

Anyway natto smells and tastes like natto. ok...

[Haivart]

Tell me eimik, why Japanese curry is so good. I really don't see what's so special about it-- maybe it's because I make my own masalas.

[eimik]

Originally posted by Haivart
Tell me eimik, why Japanese curry is so good. I really don't see what's so special about it-- maybe it's because I make my own masalas.

Hmmm, im totally wordless

Its probaly because i have consumed Japanese style curry and other edibles ever since i was chibi/little.

To tell you the truth i really dont know why its so good. Perhaps because its alittle hot, mild, sweet, creamy, tasty. yah im crazee.

[Sgt. Wang]

No offense to anyone who loves natto but,.................................I think it tastes like puke.

[doudesuka]

My husband absolutely hates natto. His family eats it all the time. I have tried it and it's pretty good. I have a weird palate though.
Umeboshii is my very favorite stirred into fresh rice. My in-laws always ask me if I want one because I loved them the first time.
My mother-in-law makes homemade pickles and ginger too. It's awesome. My husband hates all the food I eat witht them. They always joke that I am more japanese than him. funny!
Now, I know unagi is probably good but, I haven't been able to bring myself to eat because of it's shape of a snake. But, I might take the challenge soon. Tempura veggies are my favorite too with udon. I like Thai curries much better than Japanese. I am looking for spicy!

[Ami]

I'm not gonna even try Natto cuz. it looks disgusting! ugh! Just the image of Natto makes me feel sick~~! :mad:

[Sgt. Wang]

Umeboshii is also good too, but I personally like the Curry Udon. Wow that stuff I can eat anytime.

Oh and Ami, by all means TRY Natto. So then you can decide if you like it or not.

I defend my argument earlier, still saying it tastes like puke.:)

[budd]

that is it! i'm going to try some tomorrow night!

[adam]

Honestly speaking, when I first tried Natto I about lost it, but my Dad taught me to always try something 3 times before I commit myself to hating or liking something. It turns out that the third time I tried Natto (actually Natto Maki) I was hooked. I haven't lived in Japan for about 7 years now but I still eat Natto at least once a week.

[neko_girl22]

hey good advice adam ;) I will bring myself to eat natto two more times and hopefully I like it.
I love umeboshii! It's great for your stomach too.

[Sgt. Wang]

umeboshii......................................... .......*drool*

[torakris]

I guess I am in the minority here because I love natto.
I have it a couple times a week for breakfast, my favorite way of preparing it is with lots of karashi, raw egg yolk, katsuo-bushi and negi. I also add some chopped okra when I have it in the house.
I know some people who like it mixed with mayo, now that is disgusting!

[neko_girl22]

I like Okura - people say if I like Okura I will like natto... so maybe I should try again. I plan to try another 2-3 times before I make a decision whether I like it or not. ;)

[budd]

i keep forgetting to ask for it (-_-;)

[ViciousBrutality]

Is natto that ¿pickled? plum stuff? I've had that and its good, I just don't remmeber what it is called.

[kirei_na_me]

Natto is fermented soy beans. Umeboshii is pickled plums.

And I'm merging this thread in with the Natto thread that has already been in progress. Very interesting discussion there and a picture or two... ;)

[Sgt. Wang]

Originally posted by Sgt. Wang
umeboshii......................................... .......*drool*

Hmm.........can I say it again?

You might not want to mix up Natto (ugh) with Umeboshii (mmm...)

[neko_girl22]

I've tried honey umeboshii - yum!!

[beastiebacon]

When in Japan I was asked several times a day whether I liked natto or not.

[Sgt. Wang]

so, umm.............did you?

[kov]

The first time I tried it I wanted it plain just to see what it "really" tastes like. So I didn't add any mustard, daikon, pickles, sauce, anything. And I was pretty unimpressed. I am a big fan of stinky cheeses, so I was expecting something, erm, "robust" like roquefort or gorgonzola. But natto by itself really doesn't have all that much flavor.

But once I started adding stuff to it I loved it. The cool thing is finding new stuff to add. However once thing marks me as an intransitive gaijin -- I cannot and will not eat natto for breakfast. Everybody has their limit, and mine is breakfast.

[~*hellokittydiva*~]

heheh i tried natto once...i can eat it but given a choice i wouldnt...

has anyone seen the unuseless inventions book...chindogu...that has a natto cutting stand? you pull it up...and cut the strand with the handy dandy scissors..ta dah! mess free natto!! :)

how funny

[Sgt. Wang]

Wow. Mess free Natto. Isn't that an oxymoron, or what?

[silver angel]

:sick: I've never tried it so I can't say anything about it. o_O looks interesting though...then again, I've eaten cow's tongue..it was good! :)

[buruburu]

Don't cook Nattoo, make Love!!!!

[buruburu]

Originally posted by buruburu
Don't cook Nattoo, make Love!!!! :clap:

[ViciousBrutality]

wait, is natto the stuff they put it in those raw dough things covered in powder?

[Buntaro]

I can proudly say that I have never tried natto. But whenever the topic of natto would come up in my English conversation classes in Tokyo, I would always teach them the words "sticky, stringy, stinky."

[Buntaro]

ViciousBrutality, are you talking about that purple stuff called "anko"?

[Snowkeeper]

I keep Natto in my house.
I tried it once in some sushi rolls at a friends house. She warned me I wouldnt like it, but I do. Now Im curious to know some other ways of preparing it.

I have a 4year old daughter who also eats it if prepared in something. She wont eat it raw. But I dont mind it.
I was told its also very good for keeping the immune system strong.
In this bad flu season we are having, I thought it would be a good idea to beef up on some Natto a couple times a week.
However, Im very new to Japanese foods. But I DO have access to an excellent asian market here. Recipe suggestions or Links would be very appreciated!
Arigatou!
Heather

[ViciousBrutality]

no its not purple, its brown, its strannnge, and i think the package of whatever i had included the word bean something or other. but its strange grossesness and lack of flavor left me asking whether or not it was natto. I believe these bean things are pretty popular, something you could find in an asian super market. I personally found it at some sushi place in some mall in philidelphia.

[boroboro]

Originally posted by ViciousBrutality
no its not purple, its brown, its strannnge, and i think the package of whatever i had included the word bean something or other. but its strange grossesness and lack of flavor left me asking whether or not it was natto. I believe these bean things are pretty popular, something you could find in an asian super market. I personally found it at some sushi place in some mall in philidelphia.

Hey VB I believe the stuff your talking about is called "anh" and is made from a dark brown bean called "azuki" bean. There is a common japanese confection called "manju" (see other posts) which has a lot of varieties made a lot of different ways. The best are some of the best food on earth while the worst are still edible in a pinch (like how sometimes even a mc donald's cheeseburger tastes good if that's all you can get). :happy:

[Sgt. Wang]

I've had anh before (or something just like you described), and it tasted pretty good. I like it because it is sweet/sweeter than natto. But natto now is actually pretty good for me ( because I've had it 6 times now). It's very good with the soy sauce packets that you can sometimes get with it in the vending machine type ones........My Japanese friend said that they usually don't eat it plain, but with the soy sauce stuff (don't know the name?). It was very good then.;) And healthy for you!!!!:cool:

[Brooker]

So many Japanese people love these furmented beans, but I can't stand them. And I like almost all Japanese foods! It just doesn't smell like something that should be eaten. And the texture is so gross. I can stand it (a little bit) if it's in something, but I can't eat it plain. Yuck! :p

[bezz]

Natto might not be as bad as surströmming...

[jeisan]

merged these threads...

[Lina Inverse]

http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/natto.jpg

Ewww... looks like slimy dogfood to me :mad:
From what I've seen of it and heard of it alone, it makes my stomach turn... add the disgusting smell, and I'll most definitely never touch it.

[Daniel]

I tried natto on my recent trip to Japan. My wife's father ate a norimaki with natto in it by accident ( he thought it was tacuan ) and looked all weird and disgusted. My wife and her sister told me how disgusting they thought it was, so naturally I had to taste it...how bad could it be? I have enjoyed most other japanese foods, so in it went. And I must say, that natto is absolutely disgusting! I felt like someone took a dump in my mouth...yes, that bad.

This was at my wife's family's house, so I had to eat it, and I just managed to avoid throwing up by washing it down with a large amount of beer. How embarassing it would have been if I had puked all over the table.

I'll recommend anyone to try it though, and I also forced the wife to have a taste, after I found out that she never tasted it before, because she found it too disgusting. Who knows, you might like it.

[DoctorP]

I was just about to post a question about this before I found this thread! I knew that someone else had to have already asked this question. I have not yet tried natto. I have a hard time bringing something that smells that bad up to my mouth to tasted it! :D My oldest son eats it religously, and my daughter eats it too...can someone accurately explain what it tastes like? :? (and I don't mean gym socks, or poo! :D )

[mdchachi]

You could probably compare it to stinky cheese or vegemite. (Though my spouse doesn't look either but does like natto.) But rather than the tangy zip that those two things I have, I mainly detect a bitter taste. The taste isn't that bad. It's just combining it with the slimy texture and terrible smell that makes it unappealing. If you have it in the house already you may as well try it. You might like it.

[bezz]

Mmmmm natto on a bed of freshly steam rice.

Oh so super oishi!http://www.komenet.or.jp/recipe/recipeimg/ss-047.jpg

[Minty]

I have not tried it yet.

[xerxes99]

If evil has a flavor, it is nato.

[euske]

As Westerners hate natto, many Japanese people don't feel good about the flavor of some cheese such as blue cheese or feta. But both are good when you're used to. :)