Natto vs. Gaijin: Another chapter in the Epic Battle

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It has been played out millions of times before: Natto vs. Gaijin...
Some love it, some hate it, there is no in-between.
One rule...the Natto always wins.

Natto is fermented (rotting) soybeans. They are sticky, stringy, pungent, everything you could imagine in rotting vegetable matter. Natto causes a 50/50 split with all people, Japanese and Gaijin (foreigner). You either love it or hate it. First time I had it, the flavor was so different I couldn't make a call. The second time was my day of reckoning, the moment of truth, whose cuisine reigns supreme?

I've taken a liking to Tamago-gohan for breakfast. It's 1 raw egg (sorry mom) mixed with soy sauce and some other stuff (salmon, pickles, etc) mixed with warm rice from the night before. It's taken the place of oatmeal in my heart, stomach, and morning routine since I've come over here. Host mother bought natto the day before and suggested I try in the tamago-gohan (traditional preparation). Always up to a food challenge, I accepted.

Today I got to use an Aka-tamago, an incredibly sturdy and delicious egg. This sucker took two whacks before it split open. The yolk was orange. It was beautiful. I added the soy sauce packet included with the natto and whisked in the bowl. As I opened the natto the first thing I noticed were the strings that were attached to the lit. Minor inconvenience. Next was the odor. No way to describe this one. No way to describe the flavor either. Both can only be classified under "rich." I added the rice to the bowl and then the natto, mixing well so that each chopstick full contained a little egg, rice, and natto. Then I tasted.
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Delicious! Natto claims a follower rather than a victim.
Can't wait for next breakfast, although I'm still picking the strings off my face.

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Photos

Natto
Best friend or worst enemy

Aka-tamago
Sturdiest eggs ever

Stringy
This characteristic is called "neba-neba" You are left picking the strings off your chin after eating. Delicious.

Natto has been added
Mix well

Comments

[mom]

oh boy
sketchy at best. there is no way. need I say more?? xoxoxox