Cletus' First Collegiate Dictionary of Japanese Chin Music
Natto
A food product made of fermented soybeans. Natto is not glutinous. Rather, it is sticky and soft, so perhaps “gloppy” is a better characterization. Non-Japanese are supposed to hate natto. It is kind of a rule. To enjoy natto is an act of defiance. The Japanese will often make funny noises if you tell them you eat it regularly, usually letting forth a downward arcing “heeeeeeey!” sound.
Maybe it is better to describe the “heeeeeeey!” sound as slowly undulating. It’s an undulatory, extended “hey!” Vegetarians can (somewhat defensively) claim to eat it for the excellent source of protein that it is. Eaten plain, natto is just shy of revolting. Most connoisseurs prefer to mix it vigorously with a savory sauce called dashi, a dab of hot mustard and some seaweed, then pour it atop a bowl of hot rice. Snotlike, natto smells like a fourteen-year-old boy’s sock.