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

Don’t miss the creamy uni udon, omakase sushi platter, and miso Chilean sea bass. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Today there’s miso ice cream, its salty richness mellowed by a soy-milk base infused with almonds. —Clarissa Wei, AFAR Media, 13 May 2025

The bad news for some Trader Joe’s shoppers: The chain recalled sesame miso salad with salmon in 18 states. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025

Yelena / Pexels That's interesting, because of two conditions in the ISS that are different from what miso would be subjected on the ground. —New Atlas, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing miso

• miso paste
• miso soup