miso

noun

mi·​so ˈmē-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce miso (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for miso

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of miso was in 1615

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Cite this Entry

“Miso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miso. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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