The History of Miso

If you’re a fan of Japanese food, it is likely you have encountered miso at some point. It can be hard to imagine the fare of Japan without this iconic fermented tofu. But where did it come from, and how did it become such a big part of the country’s culinary tradition?

Historical records show us that miso was being made as early as the seventh century, when Buddhists were spreading their teachings throughout Japan. Popularizing tofu was a big part of their mission, as the meat-free diet promoted by Buddhism called for an alternate protein. They would combine soybeans, water, starches, and yeast in wooden barrels and allow it to age for as long as three years before it was combined with a stock to create miso soup. The ancient samurai warriors took to eating regular meals of miso to benefit from its diverse nutritional content.

At our Bothell Japanese restaurant, you too can benefit from all that miso soup has to offer. Come and eat like the Japanese warriors of old at Sushi Hana today!