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Comment by veidr | Hacker News Reader

Natto is indeeed disgusting on first experience, but my 2-year-old eats natto and rice for breakfast every morning (this is in Japan). We've tried to vary it up, but he insistently shouts natto!

I first experienced it at age 15 and it was revolting -- stinky slime with small soybeans in it. BUT I ate it to be polite to my Japanese hosts... and lo and behold after about 5 times I found myself wanting more. Now I eat it regularly, and find it delicious. :)

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I keep trying to eat natto every time I go to Japan, but I just can't get over the sliminess. I don't find the smell or taste unpalatable -- it's the texture that does me in.

My only advice is try, try again. For me the magic number was 5 days in a row. I'm really glad I acquired the taste/slime-tolerance though, because now it is one of my favorite foods.

If you can already deal with the smell/taste, then you might like it better as in natto-maki form:

https://www.google.com/search?q=natto+maki&client=safari&rls...

I used to have this issue with mushrooms. I mostly got over it by introducing a small amount of mushrooms (buried in other veggies) with my meal. First uncooked (because the texture is not as revolting uncooked) then cooked. Then I emphasized the mushrooms more and more in my meals. Very slowly. Now I mostly like them!

How long did it take you to get used to having a cup of miso soup after every breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

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