Hiyashi Chuka 🍜 – A Refreshing Cold Ramen for Hot Days
🌿 Overview
Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than a bowl of Hiyashi Chuka—a chilled ramen dish bursting with color, texture, and flavor. This Japanese summer specialty features cold ramen noodles topped with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients, such as cucumber, tomato, imitation crab, ham, and egg.
What sets Hiyashi Chuka apart is its zesty homemade dressing, made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, which gives the dish a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and umami. Light yet satisfying, it’s the ideal meal when the temperature rises and you crave something extraordinary and energizing.
With its simple preparation and customizable toppings, Hiyashi Chuka is like a ramen salad, offering a refreshing and nutritious way to enjoy noodles without the heaviness of a hot dish. Whether you make it at home or order it at a restaurant, it’s a delightful way to beat the summer heat. ❄️
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Perfect for hot weather—the chilled noodles and refreshing dressing help cool you down.
✅ Customizable: Mix and match toppings based on what you like or have on hand.
✅ Balanced flavors: The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy makes every bite satisfying.
✅ Light yet filling—Enjoy a refreshing meal without feeling too heavy.
✅ Quick & easy to prepare—minimal cooking required, making it a great weekday meal.
🥢 Ingredients
🍜 Noodles and Dressing
- 3 servings of fresh ramen noodles (or Hiyashi Chuka noodles)
- Chicken stock or water (for thinning the dressing)
🥄 Base Dressing
- 4 tbsp. soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp sesame oil
🥗 Toppings
- 2 large eggs (for making thin omelet strips)
- 1 tomato (quartered)
- 2 Japanese or Persian cucumbers (julienned; if using an English cucumber, remove seeds)
- 4 slices ham (thinly sliced)
- 4 sticks imitation crabmeat (kanikama)
🌟 Additional Flavor and Texture
- 1 tbsp. neutral oil (for frying the eggs)
- ½ tsp chili oil (optional, for a spicy kick) 🌶️
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp grated ginger (fresh for the best flavor)
- 1 garlic clove (optional, minced) 🧄
- 2 scallions (white and light green parts, thinly sliced)
- 1 small handful of wakame (rehydrated if dried)
- 1 ear of corn (kernels sliced off) 🌽
- Spicy Japanese mustard (for serving)
🧊 For Chilling the Noodles
- Ice water (to quickly cool the noodles after cooking)❄️
👨🍳 How to Make Hiyashi Chuka
🥣 Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
1️⃣ Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
2⃣ Add a splash of chicken stock or water to adjust the consistency.
3️⃣ If you like a bit of heat, mix in karashi (Japanese hot mustard).
4⃣ Grate fresh ginger and stir it in for an extra kick.
5: Let the dressing sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If making ahead, refrigerate until ready to use.
🍽️ Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
🔪 Cucumber: Cut into thin julienned strips.
🍅 Tomato: quarter or slice.
🥚 Egg omelet: Beat the eggs, cook them in a lightly oiled pan, then slice them into thin strips once cooled.
🥩 Ham & imitation crab: slice into thin strips for easy mixing.
🌽 Corn & wakame: Prepare as needed.
🍜 Step 3: Cook and Chill the Noodles
1️⃣ Boil the ramen noodles according to the package instructions until they reach a chewy texture.
2️⃣ Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
3: To chill thoroughly, place the noodles in ice water for a minute.
4: Drain well before serving.
🥢 Step 4: Assemble & Serve
🍜 Divide the chilled noodles into bowls and arrange the toppings neatly on top.
🥄 Drizzle with the chilled dressing, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, scallions, and corn for extra texture.
🔥 Serve with spicy mustard on the side for an extra punch of flavor.
🧊 Storage Tips
🫙 Dressing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
🥗 Toppings: Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored separately for 1–2 days.
🍜 Noodles: Cook them fresh for the best texture, as storing them may cause them to become mushy.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Hiyashi Chuka is more than just cold ramen—it celebrates summer flavors. 🌞 The combination of fresh, crunchy vegetables, silky egg strips, and tender noodles, all coated in a tangy-sweet dressing, makes this dish irresistible.
Whether you’re making it for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it’s a go-to meal that’s as delicious as refreshing. So the next time the temperature rises, skip the hot meals and treat yourself to a chilled, flavorful bowl of Hiyashi Chuka—it’s the perfect way to stay cool while enjoying a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Enjoy! 🍜✨
(FAQ) About Hiyashi Chuka
1. Can I use other types of noodles instead of ramen?
You can substitute ramen with soba, udon, or some noodles. Each will give a slightly different texture and flavor, but they all work well in this dish.
2. How long can I store Hiyashi Chuka?
The dressing and toppings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but it is best to cook the noodles fresh before serving to maintain their ideal texture. Storing cooked noodles may make them too soft.
3. Is Hiyashi Chuka served with broth?
Hiyashi Chuka is a cold noodle dish served with a flavorful dressing rather than a broth. The dressing is drizzled over the noodles, giving them a light yet tangy flavor.
4. Can I make Hiyashi Chuka vegetarian?
Yes, omit the ham and imitation crab and replace them with tofu, mushrooms, or additional vegetables like bell peppers and shredded carrots.
5. What is the best way to chill the noodles quickly?
After cooking, rinse the noodles under cold running water, then place them in a bowl of ice water for about one minute. This stops the cooking process and helps keep the noodles firm and chewy.
Hiyashi Chuka 🍜 – A Refreshing Cold Ramen Dish
Equipment
- 🥣 Small bowl (for dressing)
- 🍳 Frying pan (for cooking eggs)
- 🍲 Saucepan (for simmering dressing)
- 🛁 Colander (for rinsing noodles)
- 🔪 Cutting board & knife (for prepping toppings)
- 🔥 Large pot (for boiling noodles)
- 🧊 Refrigerator (for chilling noodles & storing leftovers)
Ingredients
- 🍜 Noodles & Broth
- 3 servings fresh ramen noodles or Hiyashi Chuka noodles
- Chicken stock or water for the broth
- 🥄 Base Dressing
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp sesame oil
- 🥗 Toppings
- 2 large eggs for soft-boiled or thin omelette strips
- 1 tomato quartered
- 2 Japanese or Persian cucumbers julienned; if using an English cucumber, remove seeds
- 4 slices ham thinly sliced
- 4 sticks imitation crabmeat kanikama
- 🌟 Additional Flavor & Texture
- 1 tbsp neutral oil for frying eggs
- ½ tsp chili oil optional, for extra heat 🌶️
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp grated ginger fresh for the best flavor
- 1 garlic clove optional, minced 🧄
- 2 scallions white and light green parts, thinly sliced
- 1 small handful wakame rehydrated if dried
- 1 ear of corn kernels sliced off 🌽
- Spicy Japanese mustard for serving
- 🧊 Chilling the Noodles
- Ice water to quickly cool the noodles after cooking ❄️
Instructions
- 🥣 Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
- 1️⃣ Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chicken stock in a small bowl.
- 2️⃣ Add karashi (Japanese mustard) or hot mustard for extra heat.
- 3️⃣ Stir in grated ginger for a fragrant touch.
- 4️⃣ Simmer the mixture briefly to dissolve the sugar, then cool it with iced water or refrigerate.
- 🍽️ Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
- 🔪 Slice cucumber into thin julienned strips.
- 🦀 Prepare imitation crab, shrimp, and sliced egg for topping.
- 🥚 Make a simple omelette, then roll and slice it into thin strips.
- 🍜 Step 3: Cook & Chill the Noodles
- 1️⃣ Boil ramen noodles in salted water until tender.
- 2️⃣ Drain and rinse with cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- 3️⃣ Place the noodles in ice water for 1 minute to chill completely.
- 🥢 Step 4: Assemble & Serve
- 🍜 Divide the chilled noodles into serving bowls.
- 🥗 Arrange the toppings on top for a colorful presentation.
- 🥄 Drizzle with the chilled dressing.
- 🌿 Garnish with sesame seeds, pickles, and corn for extra flavor.
Notes
✅ Storage Tip – Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days, but noodles should be prepared fresh before serving for the best texture.
✅ Customize It – Add shrimp, tofu, or extra veggies for more variety.
⚡ Nutrition Facts (Approximate per Serving)
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Protein: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg (varies depending on soy sauce and chicken stock used)
