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.
The other is a miso and caramel apple ice cream sundae with a walnut streusel and basil. John Mariani, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Travelers can get a modern farm-to-table experience at Valentine with brunch choices like mesquite miso–chocolate chip cookies, tres leches French toast, and hatch chili margaritas, while crab curries and stir fries reminiscent of villages in Thailand can be found at Lom Wong. Cindy Barks, AFAR Media, 27 Feb. 2025 His version uses browned butter and adds miso to infuse it with umami flavors. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025 There are four different ramen soup bases that originated from the island: miso (Sapporo), shoyu (Asahikawa), shio (Hakodate), and curry (Muroran). Christina Liao, Vogue, 14 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 2025.

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