In Japan, the end of June welcomes light seasonal foods that are enjoyed only during the hot summer. Chilled noodles are one such dish that everyone anticipates. Japanese people love noodles, second only to rice.

In this week’s articles, you can read three recipes for cold noodles. Somewhat similar to pasta salad, Chilled Somen Salad is lighter with a citrus dressing. The noodles are quite thin and they cook quickly so the boiling pot doesn’t heat up your kitchen. In the Hiya Somen article, you can read about nagashi somen or flowing somen that wafts by in bamboo flumes for diners to pick up with chopsticks. The third article features Hiyashi Chukka or chilled ramen noodles, a delicious tangy main dish.


Chilled Somen Noodle Salad Recipe
Light and refreshing, this is like a Japanese pasta salad with a citrus vinaigrette dressing and crisp fresh vegetables.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67439.asp


Hiya Somen Chilled Noodles Recipe
Thin somen noodles cook quickly and may be eaten hot or cold. Perfect for summer meals.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67441.asp

Hiyashi Chukka Cold Egg Noodles Recipe
Chukkamen noodles are made into soups or yaki stir-fry dishes during warmer months but enjoyed chilled during summer.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67442.asp

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Your Japanese food phrase of the week: Natsu ga hiya somen o tabemashoo! (nah-tsoo-gah hee-yah so-men oh tah-beh-mah-show) “Let’s eat cold somen because it’s summer!”


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継続は力なり。 (Keizoku wa chikara nari) Literally: Continuance (also) is power/strength.
Meaning: Don't give up. Just continuing to hold on will yield/reveal strength and power. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power.

This is from a site called Linguanaut. You can read more Japanese proverbs here:
http://www.linguanaut.com/japanese_sayings.htm

Until next time, enjoy the summer!

Kashiko,

Chidori Phillips
BellaOnline editor

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