miso

noun

mi·​so ˈmē-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce miso (audio)
plural misos
: a fermented paste that is used especially in Japanese cuisine, that consists chiefly of soybeans, salt, and usually grain (such as barley or rice), and that has a savory taste ranging from very salty to somewhat sweet
miso, the savory paste that flavors everything in Japanese cuisine from soups and pickles to dressings for salads.Harris Salat
Darker misos, such as brown and red, are fermented longer and have a stronger flavor. Lighter-colored misos have been fermented for less time, and have a milder, less salty flavor …Robin Asbell
Miso is teeming with protein, B vitamins and minerals, and rich in glutamates, which give food that meaty taste known as umami.Carole Kotkin
miso paste is made by fermenting soybeans and sometimes grains (such as rice, barley, or rye) with a mold …Cook's Illustrated
We live on rice, fish, pickles, noodles, and miso soup, made from soybeans.James Fallows

Examples of miso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Add miso into a recipe at the end of cooking to heat. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 About Amanda’s miso chocolate chip cookies and ka’ak al-Quds. Jordan P. Hickey, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 But whatever miso is lingering at the back of your fridge can get the job done. Antara Sinha, Bon Appétit, 20 Feb. 2024 There will be two types of ramen available: pork belly tonkotsu and mushroom miso. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2024 On top, a miso glaze adds a sweet and complex finish. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024 Halibut is elevated by the fruity umami combination of white miso and good olive oil; striped bass is punched up with spicy za’atar. Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 Inspectors also observed improper reheating of miso soup. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 9 Feb. 2024 The Asian hot pot restaurant incorporates Korean barbecue into its menu, with options like beef bulgogi and miso pork belly. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'miso.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of miso was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near miso

Cite this Entry

“Miso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miso. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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