Hello from Northern Tokyo!

This is Kimura from northern Tokyo. The other day, I was walking around my neighborhood and saw plum blossoms in bloom. In Japan, we usually see cherry blossoms bloom after the plum trees. When the cherry blossoms appear, the temperature starts to rise. That means this cold winter will soon be over!

Changing the topic a bit—have you heard of natto? It’s a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. Today, I want to introduce one of the dishes made with natto: Natto Maki!

On cold days when you don’t feel like cooking, natto maki is a quick and satisfying meal. It’s a popular and easy-to-find food in Japan.

If you’re unfamiliar with natto, I have introduced it in a past blog post. Feel free to check it out here:

As the title suggests, Natto Maki is sushi with natto wrapped inside. When you think of sushi, you might imagine having to go to a sushi restaurant. But natto maki is different—you can find it at convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan! It’s super easy to buy.

Today, let’s try natto maki from 7-Eleven!

7-Eleven Natto Maki
Price: 165 yen

Just like Japanese convenience store rice balls (onigiri), it’s simple to prepare.

Pull the tab marked “①” towards you.

As you pull, the seaweed is released from its wrapper.

Spread out the seaweed, and you’ll see sushi rice inside.

Roll the seaweed around the rice, and it’s ready to eat!

The rice is shari (sushi rice), which is seasoned with vinegar, just like regular sushi. Inside the roll, you’ll find natto.

For those who have never tried natto, it has a unique smell and a sticky texture. Some people love it, while others find it challenging. Since natto is highly nutritious and good for your health, it’s worth trying at least once!

That said, natto might not be for everyone. If you decide to give it a try, be prepared—it has a strong aroma, sticky texture, and a truly unique taste! But who knows? You might end up loving it!

Would you give natto maki a try? Let me know in the comments!