miso

noun

mi·​so ˈmē-(ˌ)sō 

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

Order their house made Japanese curry or the traditional Japanese meal set, beautifully presented bento-style, includes rice, miso soup, roasted cod, and a variety of small bites. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, the endless regional and personal variations of miso soup and pickles mean each shop’s set is just a little different. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

The recipe includes two kinds of cheese, a delicious spicy Korean miso sauce and Gochujang mayo, which consists of eggs, sunflower oil, mustard and a variety of herbs. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The latter has a rich umami punch, likely attributable to the use of roasted black sesame, white sesame and spicy miso, creating levels of flavor that hit all of the senses at once. —Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing miso

• miso paste
• miso soup