Japan in the summer is hot — and there’s one dish that many Japanese people instantly think of when temperatures rise: hiyashi chuka, a chilled ramen noodle bowl topped with colourful fresh ingredients. If you want to try the original hiyashi chuka, there’s one place in Japan you absolutely shouldn’t miss: Ryūtei in Sendai.
🍜 What is Hiyashi Chuka?

Hiyashi chuka is served cold, with toppings such as sliced ham, egg strips, crunchy cucumber and tomatoes. The dressing can be based on soy sauce and vinegar or a rich sesame version — both are summery and refreshing.
📍 Ryūtei – A Legendary Spot in Sendai
Ryūtei isn’t just any noodle shop — it’s the place where hiyashi chuka was born. The original owner wanted to create a dish that was both cooling and satisfying, using fresh ingredients and a zesty flavour to help beat the summer slump.
Where
Just a short walk from Sendai Station — very convenient if you’re exploring the city. This place is so famous that locals and visitors alike queue up for lunch. On a Sunday around noon, there were about 15 people ahead of me, but the turnaround is quick — I was seated in under 30 minutes.
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🥢 What to Expect on the Menu
At Ryūtei, the hiyashi chuka experience is a bit different from other places:
➤ Hiyashi Chuka Set

• Two types of sauce: soy sauce-based or sesame-based
• Colourful toppings served on a separate plate
• You assemble your own bowl — which makes the experience fun and interactive!
🍴 Other Great Dishes

If you’re visiting for lunch, Ryūtei also offers solid Chinese staples such as:
• Gomoku fried rice
• Gomoku yakisoba
• Prawn shumai
⏱️ Tips for Visiting
• Go early or after the lunch rush — it gets busy around noon.
• Ordering the soy sauce version of the cold noodles gives you a refreshing tang with slightly sweet notes, ideal for summer.
• Try sharing dishes with friends to sample more of the menu.
🍉 Why Hiyashi Chuka is a Must-Try in Summer
Cold noodle dishes like hiyashi chuka are popular because they are:
• Refreshing on a hot day
• Visually colourful and fun to eat
• Light yet satisfying
Shops across Japan sell chilled noodles in summer — even convenience stores have their own versions — but tasting the dish where it was invented gives you a whole new appreciation for this summer classic.
📝 Conclusion
If you’re visiting Sendai in summer, hiyashi chuka at Ryūtei is a must-try. As the birthplace of this refreshing cold noodle dish, it offers a simple but memorable taste of Japanese summer.
Light, colourful, and perfect for hot days, the original hiyashi chuka at Ryūtei is worth experiencing at least once.
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