As the temperature rises and the sun beats down, there's nothing quite as satisfying as a cool and refreshing meal to beat the summer heat. Cold noodles , with their slurp-worthy textures and vibrant flavours, offer the perfect solution for a light and satisfying summer lunch. From Asian classics to innovative twists, here are 6 cold noodle dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and keep you cool all season long.
Japanese Soba Noodles
Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, are a staple of Japanese cuisine and are commonly served cold during the summer months. Served with a dipping sauce called Tsuyu or in a chilled broth, soba noodles are light, nutty, and packed with fiber and protein. Topped with sliced green onions, grated daikon radish, and a sprinkle of nori seaweed, cold soba noodles make for a refreshing and satisfying meal on a hot summer day.
Korean Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon is a traditional Korean noodle dish featuring long, chewy noodles made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch. Served in a tangy and savoury broth or a spicy chilli sauce, Naengmyeon is typically garnished with thinly sliced cucumber, pickled radish, and a hard-boiled egg. The combination of cold noodles and flavourful toppings creates a refreshing and invigorating dish that's perfect for summer.
Thai Glass Noodle Salad
Glass noodles, also known as cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles, are a staple of Thai cuisine and are often used in salads for their light and delicate texture. Thai glass noodle salad, or Yum Woon Sen, combines these translucent noodles with a zesty dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli paste. Tossed with fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and grilled shrimp or chicken, this salad is a burst of flavours and textures that's sure to cool you down on a hot day.
Vietnamese Cold Vermicelli Noodles
Bun Cha Gio is a Vietnamese noodle dish featuring cold vermicelli noodles topped with crispy spring rolls, grilled pork, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce. The contrast of textures and flavours – crunchy, tender, savory, and sweet – makes this dish a refreshing and satisfying option for a summer lunch. Garnished with crushed peanuts, sliced chillies, and a squeeze of lime, cold vermicelli noodles are a Vietnamese street food classic that's perfect for beating the heat.
Chinese Sesame Noodles
Chinese sesame noodles, or Ma Jiang Mian, are a simple yet flavourful dish made with cold wheat noodles tossed in a sesame sauce. The sauce is made from sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chilli oil, creating a rich and nutty flavour profile that's both savory and slightly sweet. Garnished with thinly sliced cucumbers, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds, cold sesame noodles are a refreshing and satisfying option for a summer lunch.
Italian Pasta Salad
While not traditionally served cold, pasta salad is a versatile and customisable dish that can be enjoyed chilled on a hot summer day. Made with cooked pasta, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing, pasta salad is a refreshing and satisfying option for a light summer lunch. Customise your pasta salad with your favourite ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese, for a dish that's as colourful as it is delicious.
Japanese Soba Noodles
Soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, are a staple of Japanese cuisine and are commonly served cold during the summer months. Served with a dipping sauce called Tsuyu or in a chilled broth, soba noodles are light, nutty, and packed with fiber and protein. Topped with sliced green onions, grated daikon radish, and a sprinkle of nori seaweed, cold soba noodles make for a refreshing and satisfying meal on a hot summer day.
Korean Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon is a traditional Korean noodle dish featuring long, chewy noodles made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch. Served in a tangy and savoury broth or a spicy chilli sauce, Naengmyeon is typically garnished with thinly sliced cucumber, pickled radish, and a hard-boiled egg. The combination of cold noodles and flavourful toppings creates a refreshing and invigorating dish that's perfect for summer.
Thai Glass Noodle Salad
Glass noodles, also known as cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles, are a staple of Thai cuisine and are often used in salads for their light and delicate texture. Thai glass noodle salad, or Yum Woon Sen, combines these translucent noodles with a zesty dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli paste. Tossed with fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and grilled shrimp or chicken, this salad is a burst of flavours and textures that's sure to cool you down on a hot day.
Vietnamese Cold Vermicelli Noodles
Bun Cha Gio is a Vietnamese noodle dish featuring cold vermicelli noodles topped with crispy spring rolls, grilled pork, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce. The contrast of textures and flavours – crunchy, tender, savory, and sweet – makes this dish a refreshing and satisfying option for a summer lunch. Garnished with crushed peanuts, sliced chillies, and a squeeze of lime, cold vermicelli noodles are a Vietnamese street food classic that's perfect for beating the heat.
Chinese Sesame Noodles
Chinese sesame noodles, or Ma Jiang Mian, are a simple yet flavourful dish made with cold wheat noodles tossed in a sesame sauce. The sauce is made from sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chilli oil, creating a rich and nutty flavour profile that's both savory and slightly sweet. Garnished with thinly sliced cucumbers, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds, cold sesame noodles are a refreshing and satisfying option for a summer lunch.
Italian Pasta Salad
While not traditionally served cold, pasta salad is a versatile and customisable dish that can be enjoyed chilled on a hot summer day. Made with cooked pasta, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing, pasta salad is a refreshing and satisfying option for a light summer lunch. Customise your pasta salad with your favourite ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese, for a dish that's as colourful as it is delicious.
