冷やし中華
hiyashi chūka
The English phrase 'cold noodles' is translated into Japanese as 冷やし中華 (hiyashi chūka).
冷やし中華 refers to a chilled noodle dish that is typically served with various toppings and a refreshing dressing. You can ask for this dish in most regions of Japan by saying 冷やし中華.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of hiyashi (chilled) and chūka (Chinese-style).
How do you pronounce it?
hiyashi chūka
When do people say it?
This dish is a quintessential summer seasonal item in Japan, typically found on restaurant menus during the hottest months.
Did you know?
- In Japan, 冷やし中華 is so iconic that it has its own designated 'Cold Noodles Day' on June 11th. This date is a play on words, as the numbers 6 and 11 can be read as hi-ya-shi.
- Despite the name, 冷やし中華 is not actually a traditional Chinese dish. It is a Japanese invention, specifically a Western-influenced 'Japanese-Chinese' fusion style created during the Meiji or Taisho eras.
- The toppings for 冷やし中華 are traditionally arranged in a colorful, radial pattern around the noodles. This visual presentation is considered as essential to the dish as the taste itself.
Examples in context
- すみません、冷麺をお願いします。Excuse me, I would like cold noodles, please.
- 冷やし中華を食べたいです。Hiyashi chūka o tabetai desu.I want to eat cold noodles.
- 今日のランチは冷やし中華にしましょう。Kyō no ranchi wa hiyashi chūka ni shimashō.Let's have cold noodles for lunch today.
- この冷やし中華はとても美味しいです。Kono hiyashi chūka wa totemo oishii desu.This cold noodle dish is very delicious.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat at a cafe on a hot day.
- 蓮 Ren暑いですね。冷やし中華はどうですか？Atsui desu ne. Hiyashi chūka wa dō desu ka?It's hot, isn't it? How about cold noodles?
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね！冷やし中華にしましょう。Ii desu ne! Hiyashi chūka ni shimashō.That sounds good! Let's go with cold noodles.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんはトッピングは何が好きですか？Himari-san wa toppingu wa nani ga suki desu ka?What kind of toppings do you like, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariハムとキュウリが入っているのが好きです。Hamu to kyūri ga haitte iru no ga suki desu.I like the ones with ham and cucumber.
