Summer in Japan isn’t just about the heat—it’s a feast for the senses. If you’ve ever spent time in Japan during the warmer months, you’ll know that the food scene truly comes alive.
From refreshing noodles to nostalgic festival treats, this season offers a delicious gateway into Japanese culture and vocabulary.
This week, we will dive into some iconic Japanese summer foods. Not only will you expand your cultural knowledge, but you will also pick up natural expressions and vocabulary that can bring your Japanese to life!
🍧 かき氷 – Kakigoori (Shaved Ice)
夏と言えば、かき氷！This fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth shaved ice topped with colourful syrups (like いちご–strawberry, メロン–melon, 抹茶–matcha) is a summer essential. It’s often found at 夏祭り (summer festivals), and nowadays you can find gourmet versions with condensed milk, fresh fruit, or even kinako and anko.
🗣 Expression to try:
「今日は暑いから、かき氷でも食べに行かない？」It’s so hot today—fancy going out for some shaved ice?
🍜 冷やし中華 – Hiyashi Chuuka (Chilled Chinese-style Noodles)
Served cold with vibrant toppings like sliced cucumber, tomato, ham, egg, and a tangy soy or sesame-based sauce, hiyashi chuuka is the ultimate refreshing lunch.
🗣 Phrase to learn:
「冷やし中華、始めました」
You will often see this sign outside restaurants in summer—it means “We’ve started serving Hiyashi Chuuka!” and is practically a symbol of the season.
🍜 そうめん – Soumen (Thin Wheat Noodles)
These delicate, thin wheat noodles are typically served cold with a chilled dipping sauce called めんつゆ (mentsuyu), often garnished with green onions, grated ginger, and myoga (Japanese ginger). Light, refreshing, and quick to prepare, soumen is a go-to dish for beating the summer heat. In some regions, you will even find 流しそうめん (nagashi soumen)—a fun tradition where noodles flow down a bamboo slide with cold water, and diners catch them with chopsticks!
🗣 Expression to try:
「暑い日はやっぱり冷たいそうめんだね。」On hot days, nothing beats chilled soumen, right?
🍉 スイカ – Suika (Watermelon)
No Japanese summer is complete without suika. It’s not just a snack—it’s a symbol. From the beach tradition of スイカ割り (watermelon smashing) to its use in summer desserts, this fruit is full of cultural weight.
💡 Fun cultural titbit:
Did you know there are cube-shaped watermelons in Japan? They are mostly ornamental but speak volumes about Japanese aesthetic and agricultural innovation. (Search for “四角スイカ”)
🍅 夏野菜 – Natsu Yasai (Summer Vegetables)
Think: 茄子 (aubergine), きゅうり (cucumber), トマト (tomato), 大葉 (perilla), and 麻婆茄子 (a Japanese-style Sichuan dish with aubergine with spicy miso-based sauce) or simple grilled veg on the BBQ. These veggies are not only seasonal and healthy—they also pop up in many home-style dishes.
🗣 Natural phrase:
「夏野菜たっぷりのカレーを作ったよ！」I made a curry packed with summer vegetables!
🎇 夏祭りの屋台グルメ – Summer Festival Street Food
Nothing brings nostalgia and joy like the flavours of 夏祭り (summer festivals). Picture lantern-lit stalls, the sound of taiko drums, and the scent of sizzling food in the air…
🍽 Popular picks include:
- 焼きそば (fried noodles with sauce, cabbage, pork)
- たこ焼き (octopus balls)
- イカ焼き (grilled squid on a stick)
- ベビーカステラ (mini sponge cakes)
- チョコバナナ (chocolate-covered bananas)
🗣 Phrase to practice:
「屋台の焼きそば、久しぶりに食べたいな〜。」I’d love to have some street stall yakisoba again—it’s been a while!
🌟 Language Tip
Try using the structure 〜と言えば (“speaking of” “it reminds me of”) to introduce topics in conversation.
For example:
「夏と言えば、やっぱりかき氷だね！」Nothing says summer like shaved ice!
「夏祭りと言えば、子供の頃よく青いシロップのかき氷を食べてたなぁ。」Summer festivals always remind me of those blue-syrup shaved ices I used to have as a kid.
It’s a natural and fluent way to shift topics and show cultural understanding—perfect for conversations with native speakers.
🎯 Challenge for You
This week, try the following:
- Watch a Japanese YouTube video or drama featuring summer scenes (look for 夏祭り episodes).
- Write a short paragraph or voice memo about your favourite summer food.
- Feel free to share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what you think about the topic!
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