Muji is bringing back — and expanding — its lineup of chilled summer foods designed for days when the heat saps your appetite or you just want to keep cooking to a minimum. Starting April 8 (Wednesday), the new seasonal items will be available at Muji stores across Japan and on the online store for a limited time.
Chilled Ochazuke — Just Add Cold Water
The freeze-dried ochazuke (rice tea soup) series returns this year, letting you pour cold water directly over warm rice for a quick, no-fuss meal without turning on the stove. Returning favorites include Kizami Yasai no Yamagata Dashi (chopped vegetables with Yamagata-style dashi), Bainiku to Nagaimo (pickled plum and Japanese yam), and Kimchi to Zāsai (kimchi and pickled mustard greens).
New this year is Nagano no Yatara, inspired by a traditional dish from the Nagano region of northern Shinano. The ochazuke version features chopped eggplant, cucumber, and daikon pickled in miso, with the fragrance of myoga ginger and a gentle kick of green chili pepper — a refreshing combination well suited to summer mornings or light snacking.
Noodle Sauces — Mix and Top
A new "Mен ni Aeru" (noodle toss sauce) series joins the lineup this season. Designed to be chilled and tossed directly with somen or udon, then topped with raw vegetables of your choice, the sauces aim to make cold noodle meals more nutritious and interesting without extra cooking effort.
Three flavors are available:
- Coconut and Herb Curry Sauce — fragrant and lightly spiced
- Minced Ginger and Meat Miso Sauce — savory and warming
- Three-Chili Bibim Sauce — bold and fiery
The sauces are flexible enough to work with whatever vegetables happen to be in the fridge, making them a practical option for summer meals at home.
Returning Favorites: Chilled Rice Toppings and Curries
The "Gohan ni Kakeru Hiyashi" (chilled rice topping) series also returns. This year's lineup includes the well-received Hiyashi Goma Tofu-nyu Tantanスープ (chilled sesame soy milk dan dan soup) and Hiyashi Gyū Dashi Kuppa (chilled beef broth rice soup), along with the perennial summer classic Miyazaki-style Hiyajiru, which has been a seasonal staple since 2012.
The "Hiyashite Taberu Curry" (chilled curry) series, a summer fixture since 2022, also returns with three varieties: Chicken Ginger Curry, Shrimp and Tomato Curry, and Lemon Cream Chicken Curry. These curries are designed to be served straight from the refrigerator — no reheating required — making them an easy option on hot days. They can also be enjoyed at room temperature, warmed up, or used as a dipping sauce for cold somen or udon noodles.
All items are available for a limited time starting April 8 at Muji stores nationwide and on the Muji online store.
