Must-Try Japanese Food For Summer

It's time to beat the summer heat with some of the refreshing Japanese food you can easily find at a supermarket or a festival near you. From cold noodles to the sweetest desserts, you surely do not want to miss out on these during your summer food-trip experience.

The irresistible shaved ice dessert comes with toppings and syrup of various flavours, including strawberry, melon, or Blue Hawaii. Eating this icy treat offers you the ultimate refreshing dessert experience.

Somen or thin noodles are a popular dish in the summer season. The noodles measure 1.7 millimetres wide and are served cold, with a light flavour and a dipping sauce called mentsuyu. In the Kagoshima prefecture, somen noodles have a fun twist where they serve unique Katsuo nagashi ramen and a relaxing sand bath experience.

Nothing beats the classic icon of Japan's summer season. Watermelon, also known as ‘the king of summer fruits’, is a famous delicacy that beats the heat as it provides a massive intake of water, sugar, and minerals. It is highly recommended to prevent heat stroke.

Moreover, watermelons are used as an expensive gift in Japan with its various forms of shapes including square-shaped watermelons. Finally, watermelons are used in a Japanese game by the beach called Suikawari, which involves smashing a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded.

A specialty of the Okinawa prefecture, this green melon offers a unique taste and a bitter flavour that becomes very addictive. It is best stir-fried with tofu, eggs, and vegetables to create a nutritious meal. Goya is one of the “super foods” that are famous for contributing to the longevity of Okinawan people.

Originating from China, this chilled and flavourful noodle dish is topped with egg, crab or ham, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a dressing. Its smooth texture and cooling flavour make it the perfect dish to beat summer fatigue.

Hiyayakko is a staple menu item in any izakaya (Japanese pub). It's a chilled tofu dish filled with green onion, ginger, soy sauce, and other condiments. It's easy to digest and best paired with an ice-cold beer.

One of Japan’s unique desserts is the mizu shingen mochi. Popularly known as 'raindrop mochi,' this clear gelatin has a nutty flavour and is topped with kinako (roasted soybean powder) and kuromitsu (black honey), which melts in your mouth.

One of Japan's trademarks during summer is the zaru soba or udon. Zaru refers to the bamboo sheet on which the cold noodles are served. Topped in a mentsuyu sauce and served with crispy tempura on the side, this dish is a must-try!

Boost your energy with a charcoal-grilled unagi with a sweet, salty sauce that creates a delicious taste. It contains vitamins and minerals to nourish your tired body.

Umeboshi are plums that have been pickled in salt and sun-dried. They have a sour flavour. Many Japanese share them as they pair them with alcohol or eat them together with rice.

Discover a refreshing dish made from a red type of seaweed called tengusa. Using tentsuki, tokoroten is shaped into thin, long noodles with vinegar and soy sauce, sometimes nori, sesame, and hot pepper.

Japan has so much to offer, from delicious food to beautiful places to stay. There are traditional ryokans in the countryside and modern hotels in the city. Each place has its unique charm and offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and hospitality. As summer comes, you can enjoy Japanese food and explore new places!