Oh my delicious fermented soy bean,how do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...
1. You're cheap
2. You're healthy
3. You're sticky
4. You're stinky
2. You're healthy
3. You're sticky
4. You're stinky
The other day I had a friend/former student over to my house for a homestyle Japanese lunch. It was her first time to try Japanese food, and I made sure to include natto on the menu.
After warning her that she might not like it, she heartily took a bite. This is the best response I've gotten so far after someone's first taste of natto:
"Why do you like this?!"
I laughed and told her that when I first saw it back in 2001 on my host family's dinner table, I too was repulsed. It wasn't until my second time living in Japan that I actually got into eating this economical and tasty side dish.
It was summer 2004, and Japan was having a particularly hot one. My appetite was close to nothing, but I went grocery shopping anyway. The market had all sorts of samples, and there was some natto dressed up real fancy-like with かいわれ and 梅干. I took the plunge and found it pleasing to my palate.
There's something fun and ceremonious about eating natto. You can add all manners of vegetables and sauces (I really like ねぎand 大葉 with a little ポン酢). Also, it's always a question I'm asked by new Japanese friends that I can unequivocally answer yes to: 納豆食べれますか？
2 comments:
Ummm... yeh, it's not one that I've been able to come to like. Even on my second time living here. My husband however (a fellow Aussie) really likes it.
I can't bring myself to like it. I've given it multiple chances, but it doesn't agree with me. I like soybeans in pretty much all other forms, though! I have friends who like it, but yeah...not for me.
I'd be happy to do a blog link exchange! I'll put up a link to your blog now.
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