Hiyashi Chuka

Description
Japanese summer salad with egg noodles and ham. This is a delicious salad served only in the summertime in Japan. I really miss being able to drop by the convenience store and pick up one of these for a fast and easy meal. It's wonderfully refreshing, especially when there's no air conditioning available. Cook time refers to boiling noodles.



Soysauce flavor dressing

 * ⅓ cup water
 * 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
 * 2 tablespoons soy sauce
 * 3 tablespoons sugar
 * 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Sesame flavor dressing

 * ¾ cup water
 * 4 tablespoons sugar
 * 8 tablespoons soy sauce
 * 4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
 * 2 tablespoons ground sesame seeds
 * 1 teaspoon sesame oil
 * 1 package Chinese egg noodles, boiled and cooled (chuka soba that look like ramen noodles)

Toppings (choose as many as you like)

 * thin strips of fried eggs, in an omelette
 * thin strips ham or poached chicken breasts
 * julienned cucumbers
 * julliened carrots
 * bean sprouts
 * sliced tomatoes
 * pickled ginger (beni shoga, in little strips)

Directions

 * 1) All ingredients should be as cold as possible for maximum body-chilling benefit.
 * 2) Divide chilled noodles among serving plates.
 * 3) Add toppings of your choice.
 * 4) My personal favorite is ham, omelette, cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts and ginger.
 * 5) Add dressing of your choice just before eating.