Hiyashi chūka

Hiyashi chūka is a Japanese dish consisting of cold, pale yellow ramen noodles combined with chilled tare sauce and a variety of toppings such as fried eggs, pickled cucumbers, and finely sliced ham. The name of the dish can literally be translated to chilled Chinese food.

What is now a summertime staple in Japan began as a humble dish in Sendai about 80 years ago. It was originally a mixture of Japanese, Chinese, and Western cuisine, but neither Japan nor China claim the dish as their own. Hiyashi chūka is characterized by its careful arrangement and presentation, although it can also be bought pre-packaged in convenience stores.

Apart from cucumbers, ham, and fried eggs, other toppings might include carrots, tomatoes, ginger, and bean sprouts. Because hiyashi chūka is typically unavailable throughout the year, once the consumers see the dish in restaurants, they are assured that summer has started.