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

The restaurant’s chicken Caesar wrap — made with tofu chicken and a miso dressing — is one its most popular offerings, but there’s been a drop in orders. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

And the Cowboy is conquering the West since it’s made with cheese sauce, onion strings, El Gallo BBQ sauce and miso ranch. — Richard Guzman, Daily News, 13 July 2026

Chef-owner Takis Loukakis sources ingredients from his organic farm, serving dishes such as lamb picanha with black garlic, eggplant, and miso as well as vegan fare like king oyster mushroom carpaccio. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026

From 3 pm to 5 pm daily, an Afternoon Terrace Menu offers beef tartare, pastrami with lagana and sesame, sea bass with Tropea onions and yuzu kosho and miso caramel madeleines, alongside a glass of Château Minuty Rosé. — Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above