[Anime Culture Monday] Anime Recipe: Nattou Spaghetti from Isekai Shokudou

Set your sights on something delicious because it is time, once again, for Anime Recipes from Honey’s Anime! Each week we are bringing you more and more food. This season, though ,with Isekai Shokudou on air, we are doing double time as there are just so many dishes that it is hard to resist. This week is a bit different. We are introducing the super sticky, super smelly, superfood, nattou. Nattou is a very polarizing dish within Japan and even moreso among the non-Japanese who live there. You know when you are looking at something with nattou because the smell will tell you.

Nattou are soybeans that are fermented to the point that they are slimy and sticky. However, they then become a superfood. Up until the Taisho period, it was actually rather complicated to make nattou before there was a scientific breakthrough in the study of bacteria. Now, it is widely consumed. The most common way is usually on rice with breakfast and a raw egg. Yes, that is right. A raw egg. It is very sticky as well, too. It was why it was so interesting when the Elves try it and Fardania enjoys it. This then spurs her on to learn more about these sticky beans.


Nattou Spaghetti from Isekai Shokudou

Nattou Spaghetti or Nattou Pasta as it is called in Japanese, is a Japanese take on fusion food. While we don’t know about how Italians feel about seeing their beloved pasta covered in sticky, smelly beans, Japanese people do love this dish. Well, some do. Not all. Usually it is rather simple with the pasta being the main part of the dish and you get nattou beans mixed in or on top. And then either a partially cooked egg or a raw one, and shredded seaweed on top. This can be a lot for some people to take in all at once, but it is something that you should try if you ever had the opportunity. If you hate it, then you hate it and you are done. If you love it though, you have found a new way to enjoy pasta!

What You Will Need:

spaghetti
100 g

Shredded scallions/green onions

nattou
1 pack

egg
1

sesame oil.
1 tablespoon

Mentsuuyu or noodle sauce.
1 tablespoon

shredded seaweed (optional)
1 pack

Optional Notes:

Make a small amount! Do not be brave and think that you can stomach this because you are some super human being. A lot of people change their tunes very quickly once the beans actually make it into their mouths. There are the texture, the smell, and the taste to brave through before you enjoy these smelly beans so be careful!



How to Cook It:

  1. 1

    Cook your pasta first. Al dente is best to make sure that it has some texture. Add salt to the water.
  2. 2

    Combine the nattou, sliced onions, egg, and mentsuuyu together in a bowl and mix together well.
  3. 3

    Heat some oil up in a frying pan.
  4. 4

    Add in the nattou mixture you just made and begin to stir fry it a bit. You do need it to be warm and cooked.
  5. 5

    Once that is done, place your spaghetti in a bowl or on a plate and top with the nattou mixture right out of the frying pan.
  6. 6

    Now, either mix it or leave it as is, and top with the shredded seaweed.
  7. 7

    Dig in!

(Note: You don’t want to overcook it, but do be sure to cook the nattou with the egg for a minute or two in the frying pan. )

Yum!

Final Thought

This week is definitely a bit more of a unique venture as we venture into a side of Japanese cooking that you do not see often. When people think of Japanese food, usually sushi or ramen spring to mind, but there is a lot more that can be there. You just need to have courage and bravery to try it out and see if you like it or not. This is the most adventurous we have ever been with Anime Recipes, so please, please let us know if you make this or attempt to make this. There is a lot of bravery involved here if you can stomach nattou. As for us, we skip it every time. Let us know what dish you have enjoyed the most thus far below! Till next time.

005 [Anime Culture Monday] Anime Recipe: Nattou Spaghetti from Isekai Shokudou

Editor/Translator

Author: Nagareboshi

American by birth; international by choice. I am trying to bring attention to one of my favorite causes; me. I translate by day and write by night. Aspiring polyglot. My dream would be to be the personal translator for Amuro Namie. Other than that, my hobbies include languages, weightlifting, sleeping, karaoke, GOOD coffee and music. When I’m not doing any of the above, I am most likely laughing hysterically at Willam Belli videos or EV farming. I ain’t gunna Rupologize for it neither. Waifu are Shirai Kuroko & Euaerin.

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