Beat the Japanese Heat with "Chilled Chinese"

Looking for a quick, light, satisfying lunch that will also refresh you during these muggy rainy season months? Do what the Japanese do, then: eat Chinese. Chilled Chinese, that is.

"Hiyashi chūka" (translation: "Chilled Chinese") is a Japanese dish consisting of chilled ramen noodles with various toppings. Although it can be made any time of the year, in the summer, it becomes a country-wide affair and is added to restaurant menus everywhere.

Toppings usually consist of colorful cold ingredients and a "tare" (sauce). Popular toppings include: strips of omelette-style eggs, carrots, cucumber, ginger, ham, and chicken. The tare is traditionally made from water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

Definitely give it a try. And don't just try it once, chefs go out of their way to make the ultimate hiyashi chūka. Just look for 冷やし中華 on the menu, you can't miss it!

Enjoy!

P.S. If you know of any great places to eat hiyashi chūka, please leave a comment below!