Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen Noodles With Ham, Salad And Sesame Sauce, 冷やし中華)

Hiyashi Chuka is an easy summer dish in Japan. We can add a lot of summer vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers into this dish. The sauce has sweet and sour flavors, and cold noodles are very popular to eat in hot weather.

Hiyashi Chuka began appearing in the Showa period in Japan.
There are a lot of theories about who invented Hiyashi Chuka.
The most likely theory is that it is from the restaurants called “Yosukosaikan” in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo and “Ryutei” in Sendai, Miyagi.

I will introduce the Hiyashi Chuka with ham, salad and sesame sauce made easily at home. You would enjoy these unique Japanese summer noodles with family and/or friends to overcome the high heat!

Ingredients (2 plates):

• 2 packages *cold ramen noodles (Sesame liquid sauce and mustard are included in the package)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt & pepper
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 2 sliced ham
• 1/4 English or Japanese cucumber
• 4 cherry tomatoes
• 1000ml (4 US cups) water (for boiling)

-> See picture A and B.

Here is how to make it at home. Cooking time is about 20 - 30 minutes.

1. Boil 1000ml (4 US cups) of water in a large pot with medium heat. -> See picture C.

2. Meanwhile, beat 2 eggs in a small bowl. Add sugar, and salt & pepper. -> See picture D.

3. Preheat oil in a frying pan with medium heat. Pour the beaten eggs from step 2. thinly into the frying pan. -> See pictures E and F.

4. Fry until eggs are almost cooked. Flip over the eggs with a turner and fry until eggs are fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside. -> See pictures G and H.

5. Cut the cucumber into 7.6 cm (about 3 inches) length and very thinly as shown in the picture. Cut the cherry tomatoes into wedges. -> See pictures I and J.

6. Cut the omelette from step 4 in half. Then, flip one side over the other side. Cut in half. Flip one side over the other side again like a quarter moon shape and slice all into very thinly as shown in the picture. -> See pictures K, L, M and N.

7. Cut ham in half and slice very thinly as shown in the pictures. -> See pictures O and P.

8. After water from step 1 is boiled, add noodles and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir the noodles occasionally. Remove from heat. -> See pictures Q, R and S.

9. Put noodles into a strainer basket and rinse with cold water for about 1 minute. Remove water well. -> See pictures T, U and V.

10. Place noodles on plates, add the cucumbers, hams, thin egg omelettes and cherry tomatoes as shown in the picture. Add the sesame sauce on top and mustard on the side.