Food prices in Japan

If you check around, it’s relatively easy to find out that the biggest expense you’ll have in Japan is buying food. The rent here is quite cheap (we have a 2DK [2 rooms with a dining/kitchen space, WC, and a shower] for about $600 a month), you can find cheap clothing if you’re trying, and any visit to a 100¥ shop will result in boundless possible purchases that would be impossible in many other countries (like a set of nice painting brushes for around a dollar).

The longer you’re in Japan, the more you might notice that certain foods are actually quite reasonably priced. One of these foods is natto, or fermented soybeans. You can buy a pack of three for around 100¥, and that will last you three meals of natto on rice. It’s also quite healthy for you, so being frugal and healthy you should always give natto a look over. I did for those exact reasons and now I have a new breakfast!

Natto and okra!

In this picture you can see a little of my Gachapon collection! But that’s for another time. But check out that breakfast! Oof! Nothing classier than fermented soybeans in the morning!

 

My student recommended it to me so I tried it. I found I like natto a little bit more if I heat it up in a pan while I cook the okra, but this is quite messy for the pan since it seems some sort of caramelization is left over. However, if you soak your pan for a good minute or two, that stuff comes right off (please note I use a ceramic pan for this, so you may yield different results if you don’t as well). Also, don’t be afraid to add things to the natto before putting it on the rice. Many packs come with mustard and other sauces. I like the kids natto because it comes with a somewhat salty sauce, though I have no idea what it is called.

After you add it to the rice, add more soy sauce if you’d like.