Hiyashi Chuka

Description
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
1/3 cup water   3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar   2 tablespoons soy sauce   3 tablespoons sugar   1 teaspoon sesame oil

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