Hiyashi Chuka Ramen
A chilled Japanese noodle dish with a soy-based broth and customizable toppings—cucumbers, ham, corn and tomato are suggested.
This cold noodle dish is a staple in Japan, where it's used as a canvas to highlight seasonal vegetables. (Hiyashi means "chilled" in Japanese.) Here, a base of cold noodles is seasoned with a soy-based broth; in Japan, different restaurants may make their broth with vegetables or fish or dashi. This version highlights cucumbers, ham, corn and tomato, but feel free to change the toppings based on what's available. Swap the ham for tuna, tofu or strips of surimi (imitation crab)--or leave the meat out. Rinsing the cooked noodles until cold running water helps clear out the starch and also firm them up so that they have a bouncier texture.