6 Japanese Snacks for Summer

Japanese cuisine offers plenty of summer foods for those hot, sunny days when you don’t feel like eating anything too heavy. With a variety of sweet and savoury dishes for you to try, we have selected our favourite light foods!Our list provides you with a mix of both popular and unique snacks to get your taste buds tingling!

Savoury Summer Snacks

Take a look at our top savoury Japanese summer snacks to get your bellies rumbling!

Nagashi Somen

This savoury snack makes the list because of the fun way it is presented! The word Nagashi means “flow” , and it relates to the method the noodle-based snack finds its way to your plate.In Japan, Nagashi Somen is served by a bamboo slide with cold water straight to your seat . As it runs down the slide, you must be ready to grab it and pop it on your plate. Then, it is dipped in a soy-based sauce called Tsuyu and ready to eat.

Goya

A form of melon but with a very different taste; Goya is an acquired flavour and is renowned for being somewhat bitter . It is everywhere during the summer months and is something you should try if in Japan during this time. Goya is crunchy in texture and is most commonly connected to the Japanese island of Okinawa . It tends to feature in stir-fry dishes as well as salads but is also a main ingredient in the Okinawa dish Goya-Champuru . Goya-Champuru is a delicious combination of bean sprouts, tofu, pork and egg, as well as Goya of course.

Ayu

Ayu is a Japanese delicacy that you will see much of during the summer. The snack consists of grilled freshwater fish . It is heavily sought after due to its sweet taste . Its lightness makes it ideal as a hot weather snack and it can often be found at Japanese festivals and firework displays !

Sweet Summer Snacks

Below are our favourite sweet snacks for you to try. If you are curious about purchasing Japanese sweets in the UK , why not browse our online store? CC by City Foodsters

Kakigori

An incredibly popular summer snack in Japan, Kakigori is an ice-based sweet treat that is slathered in delicious syrup, fruit and sometimes condensed milk. Extremely refreshing in hot weather, this is the go-to snack for those who need to escape the midday heat!If you ever visit Japan, there are two primary places to find this tasty snack; either a sweet and simple takeaway version, often seen at festivals, or a stylish café form which is usually beautifully decorated and insta ready! If you are lucky enough to grab one on the go, you will no doubt be offered to little extras such as seasonal fruit and specialities including red bean paste and brown sugar ! CC by Jun Seita

Mizu Yokan

Another dessert-type snack, Yokan is usually consumed alongside green tea and has a similar texture to jelly . Mizu Yokan translates to “water yokan” and is a lighter version of the typical form of Japanese yokan. It is created from sugar, agar and red bean paste and its appearance takes the form of a cube shape. If you ever visit a Japanese temple, garden or teahouse, you will be sure to find some Mizu Yokan during the summer months.

Watermelon

This may seem like a basic summer snack to add to any list, but in Japan, it is incredibly popular , and if you ever visit the country, you are sure to find plenty of it!As the name suggests, the fruit is full of water, making it incredibly hydrating during hot weather!Furthermore, Japan is known for its ‘ square watermelon’ which, you’ve guessed it, takes the form of a cubic-like shape. They are often offered as gifts and tend to be slightly more expensive than the natural-shaped watermelon!If you would like to have a go at making some sweet, Japanese style snacks yourself, why not take a look at our fluffy Japanese pancake recipe to try at home?What are your favourite Japanese snacks for summer? Why not share them with us on our social media channels ? We would love to know!