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

My original idea was to simply stir a dollop of miso to a pot of pureed carrot-ginger soup for a savory, funky base note. —Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Baked goods can incorporate everything from chiles to miso, but their foundation requires only a small group of essentials. —Genevieve Ko, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024

While the mushrooms are cooking, place the miso paste, butter and garlic into a small bowl and, using the back of a fork, mash everything together. —Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024

Leave a comment View Comments ¼ teaspoon mustard powder 1 tablespoon white miso paste 2 tablespoons sesame oil Instructions 1. —Adrienne Cheatham, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024

Choices include eastern and western coursed menus as well as anytime dishes like miso ramen or a vegetable or beef curry. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

Baltimore is also a niche port for the soybean trade, focusing mostly on high-value soy used in tofu, miso, tempeh and organic products, according to Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. —Laris Karklis, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

Their miso ginger tako (octopus) poke is also tasty — and popular. —Ben Davidson, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024

Choose whole soy products, such as miso, soy milk, and tofu, to maximize benefits. —Selene Yeager, Health, 24 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing miso

• miso paste
• miso soup