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Natto is a classic rice accompaniment . It's delicious and has excellent nutritional balance, so many households probably keep it on hand.
Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, is famous for its high consumption of natto. Supermarkets are always stocked with a wide variety of natto, so you can choose from a wide variety. As someone who grew up in a region where natto love is so strong, I some delicious natto made by local manufacturers . If you are a natto fan or a fan of local foods, please read to the end.
Fukushima City's natto consumption is among the highest in the country
Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture and natto are inseparably linked. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau's "Household Income and Expenditure Survey," Fukushima City consistently had the highest annual natto consumption per household in Japan from 2019 to 2022. Although it dropped to ninth place in 2023, it reached a record high of 7,830 yen per household in 2024, returning to first place in the nation
As you can see, Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture is a "natto-loving region" where natto is eaten frequently. People from other prefectures who visit local supermarkets will be surprised by the amount of natto on display. Natto fills the wide refrigerated shelves, from top to bottom. There is a wide variety of products, from large grains to small grains and coarsely ground. From well-known brands to brands from long-established local manufacturers, you can choose the natto that suits your mood that day
In this way, natto is an indispensable food companion on the dining table for Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. is also carrying out unique local promotional activities as "the city that loves natto the most in Japan." they have held quiz campaigns related to natto and created Natto Gourmet Map to check out the Fukushima City website
Compare and taste 7 different natto products from Fukushima Prefecture manufacturers!
At your local supermarket, a wide variety of natto is displayed on display, taking up a large amount of sales floor space. However, with so many varieties on display, some people may find it difficult to choose
So, as someone from Fukushima City who grew up eating natto, I compared seven natto products from manufacturers in the prefecture and summarized the recommended points
Obama natto "Nattochan"
Obama Natto is a natto shop in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture that produces unique natto using traditional methods
Nattochan comes in two packs. Even among small-grain natto, the grains are slightly larger and plump. The skin is soft, and you can taste the flavor of the beans when you chew them. The accompanying sauce has a soft flavor that makes use of the umami of the dashi stock rather than sweetness. It has a smooth consistency and is easy to eat, making it a product that both adults and children will find delicious
This is a two-pack of large natto. It does not come with sauce or mustard
Its greatest feature is the size of the grains. It uses green soybeans from Iwashiro, Nihonmatsu City, which are about the size of the author's pinky fingernail. The moment you open the pack, you'll gasp at how big they are. Each large grain is soft, and the flavor of the beans spreads gently as you chew. It's natto that you'll want to savor as you chew it. If you like large grain natto, be sure to give it a try
This is a rare type of natto that is eaten with salt. Each package contains two packs
The salt that comes with the natto is Echizen kelp salt. Served with salt, it has a refreshing taste and really brings out the flavor of the beans! The kelp also plays a great supporting role, really enhancing the umami flavor. This natto is made with green soybeans, and the grains are large. The soft grains and thin skin are smooth and don't interfere with the smooth consistency. This unique and highly versatile natto can be served over rice, as a side dish, or as a snack
Minori Natto "Okawari" is manufactured by Midoriya Co., Ltd. in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. Each package contains two packs
This small-grain natto is a familiar dish served in local elementary and junior high school lunches. The small grains are soft, but each grain has its own distinct texture and presence. The beans have little bitterness, and the sweet sauce has a gentle flavor. The texture is smooth and slippery. It's natto that will have you asking for more, as it will make you want more rice
This small-grain natto gained attention after winning the Grand Prize and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the 28th National Natto Appraisal held in 2024. Each package contains two packs
Honoka's most distinctive feature is its "surprising softness." It has a smooth texture that melts in your mouth. The sauce that comes with it is rich in dashi flavor and brings out the full flavor of the beans. It has no strong bean smell or strong flavor, so even those who don't like natto will find it easy to eat. This is natto that can be recommended to everyone, from small children to the elderly
This small-grain natto is manufactured by Ito Foods Ltd. in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. It comes with a mustard sauce and comes in a package of three
Its distinctive feature is its clear taste with little peculiar taste. Natto made with high-quality underground water has a soft skin, a thick consistency, and a mild mouthfeel. The rich, flavorful sauce with a strong dashi stock brings out the flavor of the beans. It is a comforting, nostalgic natto
This small-grain natto is produced by Nitta Shoten Co., Ltd., a company that has been making natto since the Taisho era in Aizumisato Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture. Each package contains three packs
The distinctive feature of natto, which is made by hand using the skills and expertise of our artisans, is its grainy texture. Each grain is soft, yet retains a firm texture, making it easy to chew. It is precisely because you chew it that you can fully experience the flavor of the beans. It also has a strong stickiness, which somehow evokes the simple yet powerful climate of the Aizu region
This time, we started by introducing Fukushima's love for natto, and then went on to introduce recommended natto from manufacturers in the prefecture
Natto is an essential part of the Fukushima diet. Reflecting this, there are many varieties of natto on display in supermarkets and food stores in Fukushima City and throughout Fukushima Prefecture. Of course, there are also many natto products made by manufacturers outside the prefecture, but if you're going to Fukushima to eat natto, be sure to try some of the natto made by manufacturers within the prefecture as well. You'll be able to enjoy the rich flavors that each manufacturer has created, carrying on their traditions and putting their ingenuity into creating
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