When the summer heat hits, first thing you crave is probably something cool, refreshing, and effortless to enjoy. That’s where Japanese cold noodles come in! These chilled dishes are the perfect antidote to sweltering days, offering light yet satisfying meals that require minimal cooking.
1. Hiyashi Tantanmen
A summer twist on classic tantanmen, this cold version blends miso, toban-djan, soy milk, sesame, and chili oil into a creamy, chilled bowl ready in 20 minutes.
I especially love the contrast! The fire from chili meets the chill perfect for hot summers. It’s my go-to when I crave heat without sweat.
This Hiyashi Tantanmen is my current summer obsession! Made with chewy ramen noodles served in a chilled spicy broth and topped with seasoned pork and summer vegetables, it ticks all the boxes and only takes 20 minutes!
Cold Tantanmen Recipe
2. Zaru Udon
This basic yet elegant cold noodle dish highlights al dente udon paired with a chilled soy-dashi dipping sauce and optional toppings like green onions and grated ginger.
As a Japanese, I always turn to this traditional cold udon noodles recipe when the summer heat calls for something refreshing yet authentically satisfying.
Zara Udon Recipe
3. Hiyashi Chuka
This authentic hiyashi chuka recipe creates a stunning cold noodle salad with colorful toppings like kinshi tamago, ham, cucumber, and tomato, all brought together with a tangy soy-vinegar sauce.
This dish truly is a cultural monument to Japanese summer, significant enough to earn its place as a seasonal word in haiku poetry. The sight of “Hiyashi Chuka Hajimemashita” (Cold Chinese Noodles Now Available) signs marks the true beginning of summer in Japan.
Hiyashi Chuka is a cold and refreshing noodle dish topped with a variety of thinly sliced vegetables, meat, and egg crepe mixed with a tangy sauce. With minimal cooking, you can have this perfect summer dish on your table in just 20 minutes!
Hiyashi chuka recipe
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Where there’s zaru udon, you’ll always find this cold soba noodle recipe-and honestly, I prefer the nutty flavor of soba over udon for refreshing cold preparations.
The nutty, earthy flavor of buckwheat noodles somehow feels more refreshing and sophisticated in summer heat.
Zaru soba is a traditional Japanese dish made with buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray. It’s enjoyed with a dashi based dipping sauce called “mentsuyu” and served cold. It’s a refreshing dish perfect for hot days!
Zara’s reciprocal room
5. Zaru Ramen
These chilled ramen noodles are served with a tangy, umami-rich dipping sauce that includes rice vinegar for brightness.
This dish doesn’t have the same recognition as zaru soba or zaru udon, but the tangy dipping sauce makes it unique! Unlike hot tsukemen where both noodles and sauce are served hot, zaru ramen offers the refreshing experience of completely chilled components.
Chewy ramen noodles with a tangy and refreshing cold dipping sauce is the perfect recipe to cool down on a hot summer’s day. Customize with your favorite toppings and enjoy this unique way to eat ramen!
Cold Dipping Ramen Recipe
6. Chilled Chicken and Citrus Somen Noodle Soup
These ultra-thin wheat noodles swim in a refreshing citrus-infused cold broth made with chicken stock, soy sauce, and garlic.
Somen is truly another summer household staple! While it’s typically eaten by dipping in mentsuyu, I transformed it into a complete meal with a citrusy cold broth.
This delicious chicken and citrus noodle soup is made with tender steamed chicken breast, crunchy cucumber and somen noodles served in a refreshing chilled soup with a zesty kick!
Citrus Somen Recipe
7. Soba Noodle Salad with Summer Vegetables
Chilled soba meets vibrant summer produce in this noodle salad, crowned with a golden ground-meat and miso sauce.
If you want to combine soba with summer vegetables, this is it!
This unique soba noodle recipe highlights the best of summer produce paired with a rich and savory miso pork sauce. It’s both refreshing and satisfying!
Summer Soba Salad Recipe
8. Hiyashi Ramen
This is my creatively crafted cold ramen soup! I developed this because I love ramen but hate eating hot soup when it’s over 30°C outside.
The toppings are creative too! I use Jamón Serrano instead of traditional chashu, which surprisingly works perfectly with the chilled broth, proving that innovation can enhance traditional flavors.
Craving ramen but not feeling the hot soup on a scorching summer’s day? Look no further than this Hiyashi Ramen! Refreshingly chilled, packed with flavor and all you need to cook are the noodles!
Cold Ramen Recipe
9. Hiyashi Tanuki Udon
These chilled udon noodles are topped with tenkasu (tempura flakes), kamaboko, cucumber, okra, grated daikon, and wakame seaweed.
If you want to make something with chilled udon by simply adding toppings, this is it!
Hiyashi Tanuki Udon is a refreshing chilled noodle dish made with chewy udon topped with crispy tempura flakes and served in a flavourful cold dashi broth. The perfect easy meal on a hot day!
Cold Tanuki Udon Recipe
10. Cold Shiso Pesta Pasta
This vibrant green shiso pesto transforms abundant shiso leaves into a luxurious sauce with cashews, pine nuts, and white miso paste. Served completely chilled, it offers a refreshing twist on traditional pasta that’s perfect for hot summer days.
This creative fusion dish solves the eternal shiso surplus problem while delivering an elegant cold noodle option.
This invigorating pasta dish is made with a herbaceous Japanese-inspired perilla leaf pesto topped with juicy marinated tomatoes. It’s the perfect light lunch for hot days!
COLD SHISO PESTO PASTA RECIPE
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