Originated in Sendai. "Hiyashi chuka" to whet your appetite on a hot day

Generally, as the weather gets warmer, the words "hiyashi chuka" begin to appear at ramen restaurants and Chinese restaurants. However, in Sendai, there are many restaurants that serve hiyashi chuka all year round. That's because Sendai is the birthplace of hiyashi chuka, a dish that is familiar to citizens. Hiyashi chuka is a noodle dish that originated not in China but in Sendai, Japan, where you can enjoy cold noodles topped with colorful ingredients and a sour soy sauce sauce or a rich sesame sauce.

It started in 1933. Since noodle sales drop in the summer, members of the Sendai Chinese Cuisine Industry Association (currently the Miyagi Prefecture Chinese Beverage Industry Association) devised a noodle dish that can be enjoyed even in summer. It is said that it was sold under the name ''Ryanbanmen.''

At that time, Yoshio Shikura, the founder of "Chinese Restaurant Ryutei", who was the chairman of the association, was playing a central role in the development. Today, the restaurant still serves it under the same name as ''Ryojomen,'' and cold noodles are served on separate plates with toppings such as steamed chicken, jellyfish, chashu, and cucumber.

In Sendai City, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with carefully selected sauces and ingredients. In summer, when your appetite tends to drop, we recommend hiyashi chuka.