When the summer heat becomes too intense, Japan offers a delightful array of refreshing foods that are delicious and help ease the scorching temperatures. From chilled noodles to light and cooling desserts, here are the top five Japanese summer foods that are perfect for a hot summer’s day. 

If you are looking for a new start this summer, Village House has a great selection of homes to rent all across Japan. 

Zaru Soba 

Originating from the Kansai region, zaru soba is a popular Japanese dish consisting of chilled buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray.  

Many Japanese people enjoy eating zaru soba on hot summer days – the cold noodle dish is the perfect way to cool down and enjoy a chilled delicious and healthy meal. 

The noodles are accompanied by a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, dashi (dried fish), and mirin. This simple and yet flavorful dish is often finished with garnished green onions, wasabi, and nori seaweed.  

Soba noodles are healthier than other noodle alternatives as they are made with buckwheat flour, resulting in fewer calories and more nutrients such as Vitamin B, various minerals, and fiber. They are also gluten-free! 

Zaru soba is an ideal summer food as the chilled noodles and refreshing dipping sauce provide a cooling sensation and help combat the heat. Varieties of zaru soba can include toppings such as tempura or grated yam. 

Hiyashi Chuka 

Hailing from the Tokyo region, hiyashi chuka is a vibrant and refreshing noodle dish perfect for hot summer days.  

Traditionally, hiyashi chuka features chilled ramen noodles topped with various colorful ingredients such as thinly sliced cucumbers, carrots, ham, egg, crab, and pickled ginger.  

Although, the recipe is very adaptable and you could choose your own toppings, and even make it Vegan-friendly. Why not try adding tofu, or some soy-protein products?  

The dish is dressed with a tangy and savory sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and other seasonings. Hiyashi chuka is often garnished with sesame seeds and served with refreshing cold soup.  

This dish is not only a delight to the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Its combination of textures, flavors, and chilled ingredients make it a go-to dish for combating the summer heat. 

Goya / bitter melon 

Originating from the Okinawa region, goya, also known as bitter gourd or bitter melon, is a popular ingredient in Japanese summer cuisine.  

This unique vegetable has a distinctive bitter taste and a rough, bumpy exterior. It is often used in stir-fries, salads, and even as a filling for sushi rolls. The most popular of these dishes is called goya champuru, a stir-fried dish with tofu, egg, and pork belly, served with steamed rice and miso soup. 

Goya is believed to have numerous health benefits, including its ability to cool down the body, lower blood sugars, and aid digestion. This makes it the perfect ingredient for a hot summer’s day. 

Whether enjoyed in a stir-fry or as a refreshing summer salad, goya adds a touch of bitterness and a refreshing twist to your summer meals. 

Hiyayakko 

Hiyayakko, also known as chilled tofu, is a popular and simple dish enjoyed throughout Japan during the hot summer months. It consists of cold, silken tofu topped with various garnishes such as grated ginger, chopped green onions, bonito flakes, or soy sauce.  

You’ll love how smooth and silky it tastes, and if you want to give hiyayakko your own signature twist, feel free to switch up the toppings. Hiyayakko is incredibly versatile, and each region may have its preferred toppings. It is often served with edamame beans. 

This refreshing dish is not only easy to prepare but also provides a soothing and cooling effect on a hot summer’s day. Its light and delicate flavors make it a popular choice for those seeking a healthy and refreshing snack or appetizer. 

Raindrop Cake (Mizu Shingen Mochi) 

Originally from the Yamanashi Prefecture, the raindrop cake, known as Mizu Shingen mochi, is a unique and visually stunning summer dessert. There’s really nothing like the raindrop cake!  

This dessert is made from mineral water and agar-agar, giving it a translucent appearance resembling a raindrop, and it is often served on a leaf, which gives it a beautiful, otherworldly appearance.  

The raindrop cake is typically served with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup). It has a delicate texture and a subtle sweetness, making it a refreshing treat on a hot summer’s day.  

This dessert will dissolve into water within 30 minutes of being served, so you can only appreciate the beauty for a short time. However, this makes it even more special.  

The raindrop cake has become an Instagram sensation due to its mesmerizing appearance and is often enjoyed as a cool and light dessert during the summer months. 

Cool Summer Dishes 

These top five refreshing Japanese summer foods are delicious, and they’ll help combat the summer heat!  

Whether it’s the chilled buckwheat noodles of zaru soba, the vibrant noodle salad of hiyashi chuka, the unique bitterness of goya, the simplicity of hiyayakko, or the visually stunning raindrop cake, these dishes showcase the diversity and creativity of Japanese cuisine whilst providing a refreshing respite during the sweltering summer months. 

If you are looking to move this summer, Village House has a great selection of homes to rent all across Japan.