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

Koreans perfected the art of kimchi, Germans brought us sauerkraut and the Japanese elevated miso into an art form. —Food Drink Life, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2025

Slivers of olive flounder are dusted with nutty dry miso and fanned out onto an eye-widening sauce made from yuzu and ponzu. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Here are a few of our favorite miso recipes, including our trend predictions for using miso to make the ultimate cup of coffee. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025

For dessert, couples can choose between seasonal soft serve and caramelized milk chocolate and peanut pie with dulce de leche, miso whip. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing miso

• miso paste
• miso soup