Quick Natto Rice Bowl with Scallions

Quick Natto Rice Bowl
⏱️ Prep Time:	5 minutes
🍚 Servings:	1

Ingredients:

• 1 serving of steamed rice, hot
• 1 package (40-50g) natto with included sauce packets
• 1 scallion, finely chopped
• Soy sauce, to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the hot steamed rice in a bowl.
2. Open the natto package. Stir the natto vigorously with chopsticks for about 30-50 seconds until very stringy and pale.
3. Mix in the included tare (sauce) and karashi (mustard).
4. Pour the natto mixture over the rice.
5. Top with chopped scallions and a dash of soy sauce if you like. Enjoy immediately!

Welcome to your new favorite meal! This quick natto rice bowl is a lifesaver on busy days. You can enjoy this classic Japanese breakfast in just minutes. It’s a simple way to get 7 grams of protein from the natto. This natto rice bowl is both satisfying and easy to make.

Why Make This Natto Rice Bowl

You might wonder what makes this simple natto rice bowl so special. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a smart solution for your busy life. This quick and easy meal is a staple in Japan for very good reasons.

It’s Incredibly Fast

You can make this entire rice bowl meal in just five minutes. Yes, really! When your schedule is packed, you need a quick option that doesn’t involve a drive-thru. This recipe uses pre-cooked rice, so there is no cooking required. You just mix the natto, pour it over rice, and add your toppings. It is one of the fastest ways to enjoy a classic Japanese breakfast.

A Healthy, Simple Meal

This dish is incredibly nutritious. Natto is made from fermented soybeans, making it a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an easy way to support your health.

• Great for Gut Health: The probiotics in natto help your digestive system.
• Packed with Nutrients: It’s an amazing source of plant-based protein and fiber.
• Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Natto gives you a boost of iron, calcium, and Vitamin K2 for strong bones.

Easy to Customize

This recipe is a fantastic starting point. You can easily make it your own. Think of this balanced rice bowl as a blank canvas. Add a raw egg yolk for creaminess, some kimchi for a spicy kick, or sliced avocado for healthy fats. The preparation is so easy, leaving you time to get creative with your favorite toppings.

Making Natto Over Rice

Ready to assemble your delicious natto over rice? This process is incredibly simple. You will be enjoying your authentic natto gohan in just a few steps. Let’s walk through what you need and how to put it all together.

What You’ll Need

You only need a few key items for this classic Japanese meal. Most natto comes in a small styrofoam package with two little packets inside. These are your flavor boosters!

• Natto: You can find natto in the refrigerated or frozen section of most Asian grocery stores. It comes in several varieties. Smaller beans are great for mixing into gohan, while larger beans are less sticky.

Size of Soybeans	Name of Natto	Best For
Crushed	Hikiwari Natto (ひきわり納豆)	Sushi rolls or those who like a stronger taste.
Small / Very Small	Ko-Tsubu / Gokuko Natto (小粒納豆)	Mixing with rice for a classic natto gohan.
Large	O-Tsubu Natto (大粒納豆)	A less sticky experience with a bold bean flavor.

• Tare Sauce: This is the small brown sauce packet. It’s a savory and slightly sweet sauce, usually made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. It gives the natto its primary salty and umami flavor.
• Karashi Mustard: This is the tiny yellow or green packet. Japanese karashi is not like mild American yellow mustard. It is a hot, sharp mustard that provides a spicy kick to clear your sinuses. A little goes a long way!

Classic Natto Gohan Assembly

Assembling your natto gohan is a fun little ritual. The goal is to make the natto frothy and stringy before it meets the rice.

1. Start with Hot Rice: Scoop a serving of fresh, hot steamed gohan into your favorite bowl. The heat from the gohan is essential.
2. Stir the Natto: Open your natto container. Before adding anything, use chopsticks to stir the beans vigorously. You should aim for about 30-50 stirs. You will see it transform, becoming pale, airy, and developing its famous sticky strings.
3. Add the Sauces: Now, squeeze in the tare sauce and a bit of the karashi mustard. Mix everything together another 10-15 times until the sauces are fully incorporated.
4. Pour and Garnish: Pour the natto mixture directly over your hot gohan. Top it with a sprinkle of freshly chopped scallions. Your perfect natto gohan is ready to eat!

Topping Variations

This rice bowl meal is the perfect base for your creativity. You can add many different toppings to change the texture and flavor. Here are a few popular ideas:

• Raw Egg Yolk: For a rich, creamy texture, make a small well in your natto and drop in a raw egg yolk.

  A Note on Raw Eggs: Eating raw eggs is common in Japan. The country has extremely strict food safety standards for eggs intended for raw consumption, including sterilization and firm expiration dates. If you are in a region without these standards, consider using pasteurized eggs for safety.

• Kimchi: Add a spoonful of chopped kimchi for a spicy, sour, and crunchy kick. The bold flavor of kimchi pairs wonderfully with the pungent natto.
• Avocado: Diced avocado adds a buttery smoothness that balances the stickiness of the natto.
• Seaweed: Try shredded nori (dried seaweed) or kizami nori for a savory, oceanic flavor.
• Bonito Flakes (Katsuobushi): These smoky, savory fish flakes add a deep umami flavor.

Pro Tips

Want to make your natto rice bowl even better? This easy dish has a few secrets that can elevate your experience.

The Great Stir Debate 🥣 How many times should you stir natto? Some people swear by stirring it 100 times, while others just give it a few quick mixes. Manufacturers say there is no single “best” number. More stirring makes it frothier and enhances the umami flavor for some, but less stirring preserves the bean’s texture. Our advice? Experiment! Start with around 40 stirs and see what you like best.

• Stir First, Sauce Later: For maximum stickiness and froth, always stir the natto by itself before adding the tare and karashi. The sauce can prevent the strings from fully developing if you add it too early.
• Use Japanese Short-Grain Rice: While any rice works, Japanese short-grain rice (uruchimai) is the ideal partner for natto. Its sticky and slightly chewy texture holds the natto perfectly, making each bite a perfect combination of gohan and beans.
• Don’t Fear the Smell: Natto has a strong, pungent aroma that can be surprising at first. Think of it like a strong cheese. The flavor is much milder and more savory than the smell suggests, especially when mixed with rice and toppings.

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You now see how easy it is to make a delicious natto rice bowl. This quick and easy meal is a perfect solution for your busy schedule. We hope you feel inspired to try this quick recipe. Go ahead and get creative with your own toppings and enjoy! 🍚

FAQ

What does natto taste like?

Natto has a savory, nutty flavor with a strong umami kick. Its smell is more pungent than its taste, similar to a strong, aged cheese.

Where can I buy natto?

You can find natto in the refrigerated or frozen section of most Asian grocery stores. Look for it near the tofu and other soy products.

How should I store natto?

Store your natto in the refrigerator and eat it by the expiration date. You can also freeze it for several months to enjoy later.