It’s been a scorching week across Japan, and when the heat hits hard, there’ nothing quite as satisfying as a bowl of chilled noodles. In part II of our “Summer’s Best Cold Noodle Recipes” feature, we’re sharing two refreshing dishes that celebrate the best of summer produce. Whether you’re looking to cool down at lunch or elevate your summer dinner game, these recipes are as delicious as they are revitalizing.

 

Want to make sure your noodles are perfectly cooked? Head to Part I of our “Summer’s Best Cold Noodle Recipes” for a quick how-to!

 

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Cold Noodles with Corn

 

Creamy corn soup meets charred corn kernels for a refreshing, multi-textured dish. The gentle sweetness of each bite brings you right back to childhood. 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

Yield: 2 servings

・2 packs of fresh Chinese-style noodles

・Corn soup

・2 ears of corn

・500 ml water 

・1 tsp salt 

・2 tbsp sugar

・¼ tsp chicken bouillon powder 

・Pinch of pepper

・Vinegar to taste 

 

・Toppings

・½ ear of corn

・A handful of edamame 

 

PREPARATIONS

 

1. Make the corn soup: Cut the kernels off the cobs. Put the cobs in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Simmer the cobs to release the flavors and then remove them from the pot. Add the kernels to the pot and boil until tender. Make sure to skim off any foam. Put it aside to let it cool for a bit. After cooling, use a mixer or blender to blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a sieve to ensure there are no lumps. Stir in soy milk, salt, sugar, chicken stock powder, and pepper. Adjust the flavor with a splash of vinegar. Put the soup aside to chill. 

2. Prep the toppings: Boil another cob of corn and then remove the kernels. For a different flavor, you can choose to lightly char some of the kernels with a kitchen torch. Boil the edamame in salted water and remove from the pods. If you prefer, peel the thin skins off the edamame as well.

3. Cook the noodles: Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse under cold water to chill and drain thoroughly. (You can refer to the earlier instructions on how to cook cold noodles.

4. Assemble and serve: Place the noodles in a bowl, pour the chilled corn soup over, and scatter the toppings on top for a vibrant, colorful touch.

 

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Cold Noodles with Fruits

 

This dish features bold, layered heat from Sichuan pepper, black pepper, and Tabasco, bringing out the natural sweetness of the mango. Looking to try it with other summer fruits? We also recommend it with Japanese peaches!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS 

 

Yield: 2 servings

・2 packs of fresh Chinese-style noodles 

・2 mangoes

・Seasonings

・1 tsp salt

・Pinch of black pepper

・Tabasco to taste

・2 tsp Sansho pepper oil* (see below for ingredients and instructions)

・Lemon juice to taste

・A handful of fresh herbs (such as mint)

 

*Sansho pepper oil:

・100 ml white sesame oil

・1 tbsp peppercorns

・5 g thinly sliced ginger

 

Sansho pepper oil (Make ahead): In a small saucepan, combine the ingredients. Heat the mixture over low heat until fragrant, then remove from heat and let cool completely. This oil can be stored at room temperature and made in advance.  

 

PREPARATIONS

 

1. Prep the mangoes: Remove the skin and seed from the mango. Slice two-thirds of the mango into thin half moon shapes and then dice the remaining third into 1 cm cubes.

2. Make the mango sauce: Scrape off any remaining flesh around the seed and mash it into a smooth paste. Add salt, black pepper, Tabasco, Sansho Pepper oil and lemon juice, then mix well.

3. Cook the noodles: Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse under cold water to chill and drain thoroughly. (Refer to the instructions above for more tips.)

4. Assemble and serve: Arrange the mango slices around the edge of the bowl. Place the noodles in the center and pour the mango sauce over. Top with diced mangoes and garnish with fresh herbs.

 

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Feeling hungry yet? We hope these summer noodle recipes inspire you to embrace the season’s heat and savor the best of summer produce. With vibrant fruits and vegetables at their peak, now is the perfect time to try one, two, or even all the refreshing cold noodle dishes we’ve shared!