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
Harris SalatDarker 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
Robin AsbellMiso is teeming with protein, B vitamins and minerals, and rich in glutamates, which give food that meaty taste known as umami.—Carole Kotkin
Carole Kotkin… miso paste is made by fermenting soybeans and sometimes grains (such as rice, barley, or rye) with a mold …—Cook's Illustrated
Cook's IllustratedWe live on rice, fish, pickles, noodles, and miso soup, made from soybeans.—James Fallows
James FallowsExamples of miso in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because the miso acts as a subtle backdrop—like salt, just better—the scrambled eggs are still infinitely flexible.
—Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Start off with an order of salmon tataki and yellowtail carpaccio from the raw bar, and move on to tuna tacos, a refreshing cucumber salad, or an eggplant miso.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
The first quarter of the menu is raw or nearly so (and heavily inspired by Ward’s many trips to Japan): sashimi slivers of that madai, hamachi and bluefin are enlivened with white soy, tama miso or simple fresh wasabi.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Tahini is delicious with pasta or over fish or chicken, especially with miso and lemon.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 31 May 2025
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Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2025
Start off with an order of salmon tataki and yellowtail carpaccio from the raw bar, and move on to tuna tacos, a refreshing cucumber salad, or an eggplant miso.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
The first quarter of the menu is raw or nearly so (and heavily inspired by Ward’s many trips to Japan): sashimi slivers of that madai, hamachi and bluefin are enlivened with white soy, tama miso or simple fresh wasabi.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Tahini is delicious with pasta or over fish or chicken, especially with miso and lemon.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for miso
Cite this Entry
“Miso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miso. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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