10 Japanese Cold Noodle Recipes That Will Keep You Cool All Summer

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.

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.

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.

4. Zaru Soba

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!