Quick Natto-Inspired Sauces for Your Rice Bowls

Struggling with the weeknight dinner dilemma? You can unlock instant flavor with natto, a powerhouse of japanese fermented soybeans. A single 100g serving offers an impressive 19 grams of protein. Its unique texture might seem new, but these recipes are the perfect introduction.

Did you know? Natto is loaded with Vitamin K2. Studies show this nutrient helps your body build stronger bones.

Get ready to transform your simple rice bowls with these five-minute natto-inspired sauces.

Classic Natto-Inspired Sauces

Let’s start with the basics. This is the most traditional of the natto-inspired sauces and the perfect entry point for any newcomer. You will find this foundational recipe is simple, savory, and incredibly quick to prepare. It lets the unique character of the japanese fermented soybeans shine through.

Flavor Profile

This sauce delivers a deeply savory and umami-rich flavor. You get the earthy notes from the fermented soybeans, balanced by the saltiness of soy sauce and a tiny bit of heat from the mustard. It’s a classic Japanese flavor combination that is both comforting and complex.

Ingredients

• 1 package of natto (usually comes with a small soy sauce packet and a Japanese yellow mustard packet)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or the included packet)
• A dab of Japanese yellow mustard, or karashi (or the included packet)
• 1 green onion, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Open your package of natto and place the soybeans in a small bowl.
2. Add the soy sauce, mustard, and chopped green onions.
3. Stir vigorously with chopsticks or a fork for about 30-40 seconds. Don’t be shy! You want the mixture to become sticky, stringy, and slightly pale. This process incorporates air and develops the best texture.
4. Pour your sauce over a warm bowl of rice and enjoy immediately.

Best Pairings

This classic sauce is fantastic on its own over rice, but you can easily elevate it. Try making a small well in the center and dropping in a raw egg yolk for extra creaminess. For a refreshing crunch, add some grated daikon radish. Its spicy wetness helps cut through the fermented flavor, making it even more approachable.

Pro Tip: Want a little more kick? Mix in a tiny dab of wasabi with the soy sauce and mustard. The sharp heat pairs beautifully with the earthy natto.

This sauce is also surprisingly versatile. Spread it on a slice of toast for a quick natto toast, or mix it with a chopped hard-boiled egg for a unique twist on homemade egg salad. It makes for a quick and tasty breakfast that will keep you full for hours. You can feel great starting your day with such a nutritious breakfast.

Spicy Kimchi Natto Sauce

Ready to turn up the heat? If you love bold flavors, this fusion of two fermented superstars—natto and kimchi—is for you. This recipe is one of the most dynamic natto-inspired sauces you can make, combining Japanese and Korean culinary powerhouses into one incredible topping.

Flavor Profile

You get a complex explosion of flavors here. The earthy, savory natto provides a rich base, while the kimchi adds a spicy, sour, and funky punch. Kimchi gets its signature sourness from the fermentation process. Its deep umami notes come from ingredients like fish sauce or salted shrimp added before fermenting. The vibrant spice, of course, comes from the classic Korean gochugaru chili pepper. Together, they create a sauce that is truly alive with flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 package of natto
• 1/4 cup kimchi, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), optional for extra heat
• A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Place your natto in a small bowl and give it a quick stir to get it started.
2. Add the finely chopped kimchi, sesame oil, and gochujang (if using).
3. Mix everything together until well combined. Unlike the classic sauce, you don’t need to stir this one as vigorously. Just make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Spoon over your favorite base and garnish with sesame seeds.

Best Pairings

This sauce is a natural fit for a simple bowl of steamed rice, creating an instant kimchi-natto-don. It also works wonders on a plain omelet or folded into scrambled eggs for a flavor-packed start to your day.

Try a Noodle Bowl! 🍜 This sauce is fantastic with noodles. For an authentic twist, try it with Korean wheat noodles, also known as somyeon. Just cook the noodles, rinse them in cold water, and toss them with the spicy kimchi natto sauce for a quick and satisfying meal.

Creamy Avocado Natto Sauce

If you’re looking for a gentle introduction to the world of natto, this sauce is your perfect match. This recipe is one of the creamiest and most approachable natto-inspired sauces you can make. The rich avocado beautifully mellows the natto’s distinct flavor, creating a smooth and luxurious topping that feels incredibly decadent.

Flavor Profile

Imagine a sauce that is buttery, savory, and wonderfully mild. The avocado provides a creamy base that softens the earthy notes of the fermented soybeans. A splash of lemon juice adds a hint of brightness, cutting through the richness and balancing the flavors. It’s a fusion that tastes both healthy and indulgent.

Ingredients

• 1 package of natto
• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• A pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mash the half avocado with a fork until it reaches your desired consistency—chunky or smooth.
2. Add the natto, soy sauce, and lemon juice to the mashed avocado.
3. Stir everything together until the natto is evenly coated in the creamy avocado mixture.
4. Season with a little salt and pepper, give it one last mix, and it’s ready to serve!

Best Pairings

This creamy sauce is fantastic spooned over a warm bowl of rice. You can build a premium quality Mediterranean-inspired natto bowl with fresh ingredients. Try adding some bright and sweet cherry tomatoes and crunchy cucumber for a refreshing contrast. For a fuller bowl, consider these additions:

• Crispy lettuce (like romaine or iceberg)
• Thinly sliced shallot or red onion
• Extra slices of fresh avocado

Pro Tip: 🥑 For an extra savory kick, add a sprinkle of furikake (a Japanese rice seasoning) over the top. The seaweed and sesame flavors pair perfectly with the avocado.

This sauce also makes a wonderful spread for toast. For a protein-packed meal, try spreading it on a slice of sourdough and topping it with a fried or poached egg for a delicious natto egg toast.

Savory Miso-Mustard Natto Sauce

Looking for a sauce with serious depth? You’ll get a double dose of fermented goodness with this recipe. It combines the earthy notes of natto with the salty, profound umami of miso paste. This is one of the most robust natto-inspired sauces, perfect for anyone who already loves savory Japanese flavors.

Flavor Profile

This sauce delivers a powerful, savory, and tangy flavor. The miso provides a salty, fermented base that complements the natto perfectly. The Dijon mustard adds a sharp, tangy kick that cuts through the richness and brightens the entire mixture. Your choice of miso paste will significantly change the final taste.

Ingredients

• 1 package of natto
• 1 teaspoon miso paste (white or red)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon water (to help with mixing)
• Optional: A pinch of sugar to balance the saltiness

Instructions

1. Place the natto in a small bowl and stir it for about 20 seconds to develop its signature stringiness.
2. Add the miso paste, Dijon mustard, and water to the bowl.
3. Mix everything together thoroughly until you have a smooth, consistent sauce. If the mixture is too thick, you can add another half-teaspoon of water.
4. Spoon it over your rice bowl and serve immediately.

Best Pairings

This bold sauce stands up well to heartier ingredients. It is fantastic with grilled salmon, pan-fried tofu, or roasted vegetables like broccoli and eggplant. You can also use it as a dip for fresh cucumber sticks or bell peppers for a healthy, flavorful snack.

Pro Tip: Which miso should you choose? It depends on the flavor you want. Use this guide to help you decide!

Miso Type	Flavor Profile (in sauces)	Suitable Applications (in sauces)
White Miso (Shiro Miso)	Mild, sweet	Lighter sauces, dressings, light soups, salad dressing component
Red Miso (Aka Miso)	Concentrated, saltier, pungent, dynamic, bolder	Bolder, stronger sauces, stews, marinades, richer dishes

Mediterranean-Inspired Natto Vinaigrette

Ready for a twist that bridges Japan and the sunny Mediterranean? This vinaigrette is the most unconventional of our natto-inspired sauces, but it might just become your new favorite. You can create a light, zesty, and surprisingly savory dressing that will brighten up any meal.

Flavor Profile

This sauce offers a vibrant and tangy flavor with an underlying savory depth. You get the bright acidity from red wine vinegar and lemon juice, perfectly balanced by the fruity richness of extra virgin olive oil. The natto melts into the background, lending a unique umami kick without overpowering the dressing. This vinaigrette is packed with antioxidants from the olive oil, which also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

• 1 package of natto
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and oregano.
2. Add the natto to the vinaigrette. Stir gently to combine, breaking up the natto slightly so it mixes into the dressing.
3. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Let it sit for a minute to allow the flavors to meld together.

Best Pairings

This vinaigrette is perfect for more than just rice. You can build a fantastic salad or grain bowl using core principles of Mediterranean eating. Try these ideas:

• Focus on plant-based whole foods like quinoa, chickpeas, or lentils as your base.
• Emphasize healthy fats by adding olives or a few nuts.

Toss this dressing with a mix of chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese for a refreshing side salad. The healthy fats in the olive oil will help your body absorb more nutrients from any leafy greens you add.

Let It Mingle! 🥗 For the best flavor, let your chopped veggies marinate in the natto vinaigrette for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This softens the veggies slightly and infuses them with the zesty, savory taste.

Bonus Application: Cold Natto Udon

Did you know your new favorite natto sauces work on more than just rice? You can easily use them to create a refreshing bowl of cold natto udon. This chilled noodle dish is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner on a warm day. Making cold natto udon is incredibly simple and satisfying.

How to Adapt the Sauce

Adapting your sauce for cold natto udon is easy. The key is to make it a little thinner so it can coat the noodles properly.

• For the Classic or Miso-Mustard sauces, simply whisk in an extra teaspoon or two of cold water or dashi broth until you get a slightly looser consistency.
• The Spicy Kimchi and Creamy Avocado sauces are already great as-is! Their textures are perfect for clinging to thick udon noodles.
• The Mediterranean Vinaigrette also works beautifully without any changes, creating a unique fusion-style cold natto udon.

This simple adjustment ensures your sauce perfectly dresses every strand of noodle in your cold natto udon.

Simple Udon Bowl Recipe

Ready to make your own cold natto udon? This chilled noodle dish comes together in minutes. You just need cooked noodles, your chosen sauce, and some fun toppings. A delicious bowl of cold natto udon awaits.

Pro Tip: 🍜 For the best texture, rinse your cooked udon noodles under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and makes them delightfully chewy, which is ideal for cold natto udon.

Toppings for your cold natto udon:

• Tenkasu (crunchy tempura scraps)
• Thinly sliced cucumber
• Chopped green onions
• Kizami nori (shredded seaweed)
• A soft-boiled egg
• Toasted sesame seeds

Just toss your chilled noodles with your adapted natto sauce, pile on your favorite toppings, and enjoy your homemade cold natto udon! You will love this new way to prepare cold natto udon.

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You’ve just unlocked five distinct flavor worlds: classic, spicy, creamy, savory, and Mediterranean. Each sauce transforms simple meals in just a few minutes. You can upgrade rice bowls, salads, or even a refreshing bowl of cold natto udon. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different toppings and combinations.

Which sauce are you most excited to try first? 🥢

Share your favorite creations in the comments below! We would love to see what you make.

FAQ

Where can I buy natto?

You can usually find natto in the refrigerated section of Asian grocery stores. Many larger supermarkets also carry it near the tofu. If you can’t find it locally, online Japanese food retailers are another great option for you to check.

Can I make these sauces ahead of time?

For the best texture, you should make these sauces right before eating. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day, but the natto might become less stringy.

What if I don’t like the stringy texture?

You can reduce the stringiness by stirring the natto less. The Creamy Avocado Sauce is also a great choice. The avocado’s smooth texture helps mellow the natto’s stickiness, making it much more approachable for anyone new to it.

Are there other ways to use these sauces? 💡

Absolutely! The classic sauce is perfect for making natto toast. You can also create a delicious natto egg toast for a nutritious breakfast. Try mixing the Miso-Mustard sauce into chopped eggs for a unique twist on homemade egg salad. It’s a quick and tasty breakfast!