Rice is the staple food of the Japanese people. Many Japanese love to eat gleaming white rice accompanied by side dishes in Japanese cuisine. But they also enjoy it with food of Western origin, or with Chinese food and so on.
There are even foods that are known as "rice companions." Small quantities of foods with a strong flavor are placed on top of white rice to increase both the flavor of the rice and the quantity of rice that is consumed.

However, even white rice lacks certain nutrients such as protein.
So what is an example of a food that is rich in protein and is easily digestible? You guessed it: natto.
Natto is also rich in essential amino acids and other nutrients not contained in white rice.

For Japanese people,, the combination of natto and white rice might not be considered a gourmet delicacy that one would eat in a restaurant. But people feel energized after they eat it, and it has the flavor of home cooking that makes it a true "comfort food."