If you don’t think there could be such a thing as a “refreshing” bowl of ramen, then you haven’t tried hiyashi chuka. Swapping steaming hot broth for chilled dressing, these noodles are an easy way to beat the summer heat.

Top That!

Think of it as a pasta salad, if you will, complete with fresh vegetables and protein to make it a satisfying one-bowl meal. Though traditionally topped with sliced meat and egg ribbons, there are no hard and fast rules for cold ramen, as with hot ramen, making it highly adaptable for all dietary needs and flavor preferences. Just like a salad, anything goes! In addition to what’s pictured and outlined here, a few of my favorite alternative additions include:

• Shredded lettuce
• Julienned bell peppers
• Whole or sliced snap peas
• Shelled edamame
• Sliced or diced avocado
• Shredded nori

To Sauce or To Soup?

Similarly, some like to dress their noodles with a sauce more like a conventional vinaigrette, but I prefer one that’s more like a concentrated, oil-free, chilled broth, straddling the line between cold soup and cold noodles. The longer it sits, the more it absorbs, further blurring that distinction.

Cool Down With Chilled Ramen

Ramen shouldn’t be relegated to just the winter months. Despite the popularity of rich tonkotsu and creamy paitan ramen, this beloved noodle is ready to shed those heavy layers and shine in the summertime. Next time you’re craving noodles but can’t stand the heat, try a simple bowl of light, bright hiyashi chuka on for size.

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Yield: Makes 2 Servings

Hiyashi Chuka

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Hiyashi chuka is the lighter, brighter answer to ramen cravings in the summer time! Try this healthy chilled version for a quick fix meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

Chilled Broth:

• 1 Cup Mushroom Stock
• 1/4 Cup White or Chickpea Miso Paste
• 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Mirin
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

Ramen and Toppings:

• 6 - 8 Ounces Ramen Noodles, Cooked Al Dente
• 1 Roma Tomato, Halved and Sliced
• 1 Persian Cucumber, Thinly Sliced
• 1 Carrot, Peeled and Thinly Sliced
• 1/2 Daikon, Peeled and Thinly Sliced
• 1 Ear Corn, Steamed and Kernels Removed (or 3/4 Cup Corn Kernels)
• 6 Ounces Baked or Braised Tofu, Thinly Sliced
• Sprouts or Microgreens

Instructions

1. Prepare the broth first by whisking all the ingredients together. Once smooth, transfer the liquid to a pitcher and store in the fridge until ready to use.
   
   
2. Cook the ramen noodles al dente and immediately rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and divide between two large bowls.
   
   
3. Arrange the prepared tomato, cucumber, carrot, daikon, corn, tofu, and sprouts on top in neat rows or piles. Pour the chilled broth over both bowls, or pass the pitcher at the table for both diners to add their own. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Additional topping ideas include shredded lettuce, julienned bell peppers, whole or sliced snap peas, shelled edamame, sliced or diced avocado, and shredded nori, among many others.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Marukan Rice Vinegar Organic
• 
  Mirin Cooking Rice Wine
• 
  Eden Foods, Organic Shiro Miso, 12.1 oz

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1408Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1538mgCarbohydrates: 256gFiber: 22gSugar: 24gProtein: 61g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.