Japanese Foods to help you beat the summer heat

However, don’t be afraid, since GoEMON’s got your back! In this article, GoEMON will introduce to you some of the best and most refreshing Japanese foods to help you beat the summer heat! Being able to have good food while at the same time also staying cool despite the sweltering heat of the summer, nothing better than that! 

1. Kakigori - Japanese Shaved Ice 

When it’s summer in Japan, what do you do? Eat kakigori, of course! This dessert is such a classic Japanese dessert in the summer, to the point that many locals wouldn’t consider their summer complete unless they have had it at least once. Also commonly known as traditional Japanese shaved ice, the dessert is basically a fluffy mountain of shaved ice drizzled with a hefty amount of syrup and additional toppings, such as mochi rice cakes, seasonal fruits, or sweets like chocolate. 

2. Somen

When it comes to Japanese noodles, ramen, udon, and soba are common names, but have you ever heard of somen? Somen is a white Japanese noodle that is extremely thin and often served as a cold dish. This makes it a perfect option for days when the hot weather makes you lose all appetite, as a delicious bowl of cold somen can help you cool down while also boosting your energy.  .

3. Grilled Ayu sweetfish 

Ayu sweetfish or just Ayu fish, is the perfect option for those who are not a fan of the strong fishy smell and taste of normal fish. It is famous for its sweet-ish taste and clean aroma that is said to be similar to that of melon and cucumber. In the summer, many Japanese people would grill these fish with some salt. The sweetness from the fish and saltiness of the salt combined is sure to impress you. During summer festivals, it is not hard to find many people lining up at food stalls to get their hands on a skewer of salt-grilled Ayu sweetfish. 

4. Hiyashi Chuka - Cold Chinese Noodles

Hiyashi Chuka, or Cold Chinese noodles in English, is a famous Chinese-style Japanese noodle dish often eaten during the summer, as can be inferred from the name itself. The dish contains chewy ramen noodles, topped with a variety of toppings such as thinly sliced egg, ham, sausages, cucumber, and tomatoes, sprinkled with some sesame seeds, sesame oil, and a tare sauce. Its refreshing taste makes it perfect for sweltering hot summer days. 

5. Kuzumochi

If you are a fan of desserts that are not too sweet, then Kuzumochi would be the perfect choice for you this summer. Kuzumochi is a type of rice cake made from either the starch of the Kuzu plant or wheat flour. It is only slightly sticky and has a texture that is similar to firm jelly. It is often eaten with soybean powder and a drizzle of black honey for some added sweetness. 

6. Cold tanuki udon

When it comes to udon, most people would think of a hot noodle dish. However, udon can also be eaten as a cold dish and is actually really famous during the summer here in Japan. Udon is somewhat similar to somen but is much thicker and is made from wheat instead. Chilled tanuki udon is served with cucumber, tenkasu (tempura flakes), wakame seaweed, and various types of chopped-up vegetables. We highly recommend trying this heat during the summer! 

In this article, GoEMON has introduced you to some Japanese dishes that are perfect to be eaten during the hot and humid summer days here. 

Have you tried these dishes before? Let us know in the comments down below! 

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