In recent years, it's become common for international cuisine to be enjoyed in Japan, and conversely, for Japanese food to make its way overseas. Amidst this trend, a social media post about a familiar Japanese food supposedly expanding abroad has gone viral.

I bought this natto at Gyomu Super and saw a map of India on the package, so I thought, 'Wow, they've expanded all the way to India.' But it was actually a map of Hokkaido.

Source: Post by @yokuraki

The post was made by Mr. Kuraki, a resident of Vietnam. He purchased this natto at a Gyomu Super in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It's surprising to learn that Japan's Gyomu Super has even expanded to Vietnam!

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (left image)

Comparing it with a map of India, the shape on the upside-down package is indeed strikingly similar. The post received a massive response, garnering over 120,000 likes, with comments like, "Couldn't help but laugh," and "This would even surprise people in India."

We spoke with Mr. Kuraki, the original poster.

Which company manufactured this natto?

Looking at the package, you can see the words "Made with 100% Hokkaido Soybeans." Ah, so that's why the shape of Hokkaido was on the package.

By the way, to commemorate his post going viral, Mr. Kuraki decided to have natto curry for lunch that day using his "India Natto." Now that's a true India x Natto collaboration...!

Since my post went viral like never before, I had Gyomu Super's 'Adult Curry' 🍛 and 'India Natto' for lunch.

Source: Post by @yokuraki

Many on social media couldn't help but laugh at the uncanny resemblance between Hokkaido and India. Even those who were good at geography commented, "Yep, that's India," expressing their surprise. As part of this "things that look alike" series, we also received information that the coastline of Da Nang, Vietnam, looks just like the coast of Hakodate. Apparently, it's so similar that even local students can't tell the difference from photos. The world is connected in mysterious ways.

But has natto actually made its way to India? While India is the world's fifth-largest producer of soybeans (as of 2019), a natto-like dish is reportedly made in homes by wrapping soybeans in leaves and fermenting them. Japanese natto seems to be stringier, but the fundamental process of fermenting with Bacillus subtilis natto is the same.

Mr. Kuraki, who posts a picture diary every night, commemorated the viral post with a natto-themed entry. The heartwarming art style is lovely.

Tuesday, Dec. 12: I know I'm persistent, but since it's a diary, it's natto again.
This is the natto from my most viral post ever, 'The natto package from Gyomu Super looks like India.' Since it was the biggest event of my day, I made it the subject of my drawing.
Today alone, it got 3.7 million impressions and 100,000 likes.
#Vietnam #PictureDiary #Gouache

Source: Post by @yokuraki

A post from across the sea that brought a smile to our faces!