Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer

From soba noodle salad to dipping ramen to cold curry udon, these Japanese-style cold noodles are going to be your new summertime favorites! They are easy to make and can be prepped ahead, too.

Easy cold noodle recipes to make all summer — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 88

Sandwiches, BBQs, and salads are the typical summertime staples, but we at Just One Cookbook are avid fans of bright cold noodles when the temperatures rise. Think soba, ramen, udon, someand more. These noodles can be served cold (or at room temperature) in a colorful salad form or with a savory dipping sauce or in a flavorful curry broth.

What you’ll love most about cold noodles?

They can be put together so quickly! Go ahead and boil a whole package of the noodles and keep it in the fridge so it’s ready to serve with crisp veggies, grilled meat (or grilled mushrooms, tofu, or eggplants), and a quick dressing or sauce.
The noodles pair well with any summer produce and offer plenty of room for customization.
Keep it light or bulk it up as you desire.

Each of the recipes is perfectly summery and ready to be slurped away! Here, let us present the best cold noodle recipes of summer.

1. Soba Noodle Salad

Soba noodle salad with soy honey dressing in a green bowl. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 89

“Thank you for sharing this recipe. It’s delicious and so fast to make! I add edamame and like you suggest cucumber. So good.” — Selina

Earthy Japanese soba noodles tossed in a honey-soy dressing with a touch of sesame oil and garnished with fresh herbs and sesame seeds. It cannot get any easier! Feel free to throw in proteins and veggies for a more substantial meal.

2. Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen Noodles)

Bowls of Tsukemen dipping soup broth and a plate of ramen noodles and toppings. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 90

“This is delicious. My partner and I have made this twice in 1 week. It is so good and reminds us of the time we lived in Tokyo.” — Nikki

Dipping ramen noodles or Tsukemen is one of the most beloved styles of ramen in Japan, especially during the hot months. The contrast between cold noodles and hot broth is literally the best of both worlds.

3. Zaru Soba (Cold Soba Noodles)

Two kinds of soba noodles served on a Japanese bamboo, garnished with shredded nori sheet. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 91

“I used to buy pre-made dipping sauce from the supermarket for my Zaru Soba. No more. Your recipe is SO much better. I just made a batch and it will go into regular rotation during warmer months.” — Julie

10-minute is all you need to whip up this classic Japanese cold noodle dish. We also love heating up some store-bought frozen tempura to serve alongside the chilled buckwheat noodles. Grab some cold beer or iced green tea to enjoy with the meal on the patio.

4. Chickpeas (Cold Ramen)

A white plate containing cold ramen (Hiyashi Chuka) with julienned cucumber, ham, egg, and more! — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 92

“I made it this evening and the entire family loved it, even my toddler. I served it with the hot mustard which made it all the more satisfying. Absolutely delicious on this hot Southern California day.” — Wendy

It’s easy to give ramen a big nod any time of the year. But come summertime, you need to experience this popular Japanese cold ramen called hiyashi chuka! Topped with colorful toppings, it has all the flavors and textures you’d enjoy on a hot day.

Vegetarian? Use your favorite veggies and leftover grilled tofu!

5. Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen) with Sesame Miso Sauce

A ceramic plate containing Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen) with Sesame Miso Sauce. Chilled noodles are served with sliced tomatoes, shredded chicken, and cucumber. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 93

“This was so easy and SO GOOD. Perfect for a hot summer’s meal. The dressing is to die for. And I got some chicken broth for other recipes! This is going to be made by me like every week.” — Mitchell

Instead of soy sauce-based dressing, this version of hiyashi chuka is soaked in a sesame miso sauce. Thanks to the umami-rich miso and tangy rice vinegar, the sauce delivers a dynamic punch of flavor.

6. Oroshi Soba

A ceramic bowl containing Oroshi Soba, chilled buckwheat noodles with grated daikon and savory sauce. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 94

“This is undeniably the most amazing thing I have ever cooked in my life. Thank you Nami! I’m going to make this all the time!” — Shelli

Use quality soba noodles for a minimal recipe like this. To make it vegetarian or vegan, just omit the katsuobushi topping, and swap the katsuo dashi with Kombu Dashi.

7. Black Sesame Dan Dan Noodles

A black bowl containing Black Sesame Dan Dan Noodles. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 95

“Been wanting to make this for a while now and with the summer picking up, I finally made the cold version – SO GOOD!! Thank you for noting that the soup could be made in advance, that helped a ton in cutting down the prep work.” — JB

This is a Japanese take on the famous Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles. Here, we have black sesame-flavored broth, savory meat sauce, chewy noodles, chili oil, and garlic chips that go into one bowl of an unforgettable meal. Yes, you can serve the noodles in 2 ways: cold or hot.

8. Cold Curry Udon

A white bowl containing cold curry udon with sliced pork, boiled egg, and fresh vegetables. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 96

“I made this curry with your roux recipe and fresh tomato and cucumber from the garden. I didn’t expect the fresh produce would taste so nice in curry.” — Kristi

Chilled udon noodles soaked in curry soup, topped with sliced pork, boiled egg, sliced onion, cucumber strips, fresh greens, tomatoes, and grilled eggplants. Need we say more?

9. Cold Tanuki Udon

A white bowl containing chilled udon noodles, tenkasu, julienned cucumber, boiled egg, wakame seaweed, and grated onion, along with savory noodle soup. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 97

“Just tried making it! Super yummy!!” — Karen

Delicious and oh-so-satisfying, the chilled udon noodle is drizzled in umami-rich mentsuyu and topped with cucumber, tomatoes, wakame seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg. You can easily make it vegan or vegetarian-friendly.

10. Cold Somen Noodles

A table setting for cold somen noodles. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 98

“Thank you for sharing another great recipe! It was the first time I made somen and it did not disappoint! Very tasty, and a great change from cold soba which we make on a regular basis.” — Tallinn

Somen is a summer staple for the Japanese. These thin and springy noodles are light and refreshing and take less than 3 minutes to cook.

11. Cold Tuna and Tomato Somen

A glass plate containing Cold Tuna Tomato Somen topped with julienned shiso leaves. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 99

“Wonderful, simple, and quick recipe. I used campari tomatoes for more tomato flavor and it turned out excellent!” — Brenda

This cold tuna and tomato soup dish looks and tastes like the epitome of summer cooking.

12. Pork Shabu Shabu and Cold Somen with Sesame Miso Sauce

A wooden tray containing a plate of somen noodles, a bowl of sesame miso dipping sauce, and a plate of pork shabu shabu and cucumber slices. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 100

“This was absolutely delicious! Thank you” — Carrie

Cold somen noodles served with shabu shabu pork, cucumber slices, and a savory dipping sauce! This is the most refreshing noodle recipe that your whole family will love. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner in the summer.

13. Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles

A blue bowl containing cold and refreshing shirataki noodles with honey sesame dressing. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 101

“This was the best!!! I can’t wait for warmer weather to enjoy this more! I added random vegetables by boiling them and chilling before serving.” — Jane

If you’re looking for a low-carb and gluten-free cold noodle dish, you’ll need these honey sesame shirataki noodles in your back pocket! Prep the noodles ahead by cooking them according to the package instructions and draining them well under cold water. When ready to eat, assemble the noodles with veggies and protein.

14. Harusame Salad (Glass Noodle Salad)

easy and refreshing japanese glass noodle salad on a plate — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 102

“I made this for a party and it was great because it was make-ahead. This is like Korean chap chae but easier! I added mushrooms and tomatoes too. So delicious.” — Cynthia

Japanese Glass Noodle Salad (Harusame Salad) is light, refreshing, low-calorie, and flavorful, with a savory and tangy sesame soy vinaigrette.

15. Cold Natto Udon

A glass plate containing cold natto udon topped with kimchi, onsen tamago, blanched okra, fresh cucumber, and grated nagaimo. — Cold Noodle Recipes You’ll Need All Summer 103

Topped with natto, colorful vegetables, and poached egg, this chilled noodle dish is brimming with flavors, textures, and nutrients! Perfect on a hot summer day.

More Recipes for Summer Dinner Ideas

Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTubeand Instagram.