Japanese Cold Noodles (Hiyashi Chuka)
Beat the summer heat with Hiyashi Chuka, a refreshing Japanese cold noodle dish featuring chewy ramen, colorful toppings, and a tangy soy-vinegar dressing.
Hiyashi Chuka, literally translating to chilled Chinese, is a beloved summer staple in Japan. When local diners hang banners announcing its return, it signals the true start of the hot season. This bright, highly customizable dish balances protein and fresh vegetables with a perfectly sweet and tart dressing, making it incredibly cooling and satisfying on a sweltering day.
Ingredients
- 3-4 portions chuka soba or ramen noodles
- 100 g light soy sauce
- 120 g vinegar
- 140 g water
- 60 g sugar
- 10 g sesame oil
- 2 g salt
- optional MSG
- 1 tbsp starch
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cucumber
- 100 g ham
- 2 tomatoes
- 100 g shredded cooked chicken
- to taste yellow mustard (karashi)
Instructions
- 1Mix the Seasoning Sauce
Pour light soy sauce, vinegar, water, sugar, sesame oil, and salt into a metal bowl and mix them together thoroughly to create the cold noodle sauce.
Tip: Ensure the sugar is completely dissolved in the liquid mixture. - 2Prepare the Starch Mixture
Add a little water to a small bowl of starch and mix well using chopsticks to create a smooth starch liquid for the egg batter.
Tip: Mix thoroughly to avoid any lumps in the starch solution. - 3Fry the Thin Egg Crepe
Combine the prepared starch liquid with a beaten egg. Brush a little oil onto a heated frying pan, pour in the egg mixture, and swirl to coat the bottom. Cook until set into a thin crepe, then carefully flip it over to finish.
Tip: Brush oil lightly on the pan beforehand to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth crepe. - 4Boil the Noodles
Drop the noodles into a pot of boiling water and cook until tender, then rinse with cold water.
Tip: Rinsing with cold water helps stop the cooking process and keeps the noodles chewy. - 5Arrange Toppings on Noodles
Place shredded cucumber, egg strips, ham, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds neatly over the prepared noodles.
Tip: Slice all toppings into uniform strips for better texture and presentation. - 6Pour Dressing and Serve
Pour the prepared soy-vinegar dressing generously over the noodles and arranged toppings. Serve immediately with a side of yellow mustard to mix in for an authentic, spicy kick.
Tip: Serve with mustard on the side to mix in when eating for the authentic taste.
