FOOD: Hiyashi Chuuka (Chilled Ramen)

It is getting very warm in Kobe, and there are some days when I can go through the entire day in short sleeves.

The supermarket shelves are switching from warm winter foods to cool summer foods! This week I have made my first "Hiyashi Chuuka" of the year!Hiyashi Chuuka is a type of chilled ramen (see here). For me, it is a typical summer food, along with somen! Hiyashi Chuuka actually means "chilled Chinese" (冷やし中華, for all you kanji readers), which is strange... I guess it means chilled Chinese NOODLES. Why leave out the most important word???? hahahaha Fortunately, just about any Japanese person will understand that you mean chilled ramen if you tell them you want Hiyashi Chuuka.

You can top it with whatever you like, but here is what I added.
- Sliced cucumber
- shredded chicken (breast meat or other lean meat)
- mock crab meat. This is a MUST HAVE for me! You think it's gross? Wanna know what I think of spam/baloney/other luncheon meats??? hahaha
- scallop sashimi

Yum yum!! Then again, when summer comes around, I'm going to be too exhausted to eat stuff like this... I do not do well in heat...

Do you have a favorite dish for summer?

xoxo, K

PS: This is readily available in any Japanese supermarket. The package typically comes with the noodles & soup!