The intense heat and humidity of Japan make for infamously harsh summers. This time of year, it's important to stay hydrated and cool, so why not try these three Japanese summer dishes that can help you get through the heat?

From Farmers Recipe to Popular Summer Meal

Originating in Miyazaki Prefecture in the southern island of Kyushu in Japan, Hiyajiru is renowned for being an easy and quick way to nourish the body and replenish energy. As summer temperatures have risen throughout Japan in recent years, Hiyajiru, or "chilled soup" in Japanese, has become more and more popular, and more people are coming to appreciate this regional dish.

A super chilled bowl of Hiyajiru from Yayoiken.

The fundamental ingredients for the traditional Hiyajiru are miso, fresh seafood from the Hyuga Sea off Kyushu's eastern coast, and vegetables and crops that thrive in Miyazaki's renowned sunny climate. In addition to being light and nutritious, the soup can easily be made vegan!

This cool summer soup comes in a variety of forms these days. Cucumber, sesame, and fish (or mushrooms if vegan) are included in a number of the recipes. Hiyajiru tastes great with a bowl of rice, but it's also a great accompaniment to side dishes like miso-glazed eggplant or edamame.

Refreshing Cold Noodle Dishes

During the hot summer months, chilled noodle meals are quite popular in Japan. Zaru Udon is a staple of Japanese summer cuisine and consists of cold noodles served with a dipping sauce. The noodles are served on a bamboo mat known as a "zaru" after being boiled and rinsed in cold water. A savory dipping sauce, typically mentuyu—a concoction of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi (a broth derived from kelp and bonito flakes)—is served in a separate bowl. The Udon noodles are often topped with seaweed, green onions, and grated ginger but can also be garnished with wasabi.

Because of its light and refreshing qualities, Zaru Udon is a popular refreshing dish during Japan's warmest summer months. It is a delicious yet chilly lunch option that is available at most Udon restaurants, if not all of them.

The Best Japanese Power-Up Summer Dish

Although grilled eel, or Unagi, is served all year round in Japan, its reputation for endurance and heat tolerance makes it particularly popular in the summer. Unagi is the go-to summertime Japanese food for energy. This dish is commonly eaten with rice and is known as unadon (unagi donburi = "eel bowl") when it is served in a deep round bowl.

Tare, a sweetened soy-based sauce, is used to glaze the grilled eel. Although unagi was once only found in areas close to large rivers, it is now much more widely available and served in many Japanese restaurants.

Final Thoughts

One thing is for sure: you will beat the summer heat whether you choose to eat a cooling Zaru Udon dish, energizing Unagi, or a bowl of icy Hiyajiru. Now that you know more about these special meals, you're ready to travel Japan during the hot summer months with confidence, much knowledge, and no heatstroke!