Natto: Look For This Protein-Packed Fermented Breakfast at Your Local Asian Grocery Store

Stepping into an international grocery store is like opening up a whole new world of culinary experiences. At first, it might seem overwhelming. Suddenly, you realize that there are more varieties of lentils than you ever thought possible, and a whole garden variety of Asian greens, and spices and sauces with flavors you can’t even begin to imagine.

In some cases, you’ll also learn that there are many common dishes and staple foods that also happen to be vegan. For example, when we think of Japanese food, we might automatically think of sushi and other fish-based dishes, but there are also many different plant-based side dishes that the cuisine has to offer, like goma-ae (blanched spinach in sesame sauce), kabocha no nimono (Japanese pumpkin simmered in a sweet, salty, savory broth), and kinpira gobo (sautéed burdock root).

Natto, a dish of fermented soybeans, is a staple breakfast food in Japan.

Upon first glance, natto may not look like the most appetizing dish. Due to fermentation, the soybeans are coated a stringy, sticky matter, and natto has a reputation for being (and we’re being honest here) fairly stinky. It also happens to be high in protein; just one cup of natto yields 31 grams of protein.

So, Where Can You Find Natto?

When you’re in the Asian grocery store, look for natto in the same section as the tofu. When you find it, be sure to read the ingredients before buying — most natto is suitable for vegans, but some natto contains fish sauce. Typically, natto is eaten with a serving of white rice, making it a filling, high-protein breakfast, but if you’re adventurous, try it over avocado toast!

Have you tried natto? Let us know what you think in the comments below! We would also love to hear about what the best vegan food you’ve found at an international grocery store.

If you’re looking for more delicious and seasonal plant-based recipes, then we highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Image source: abc1234/Shutterstock