Cold Chinese Dishes for a Super Summer Menu

Cool Asian Recipes for Hot Summer Days

By
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Updated on 05/23/19
Chinese Food

Audi Santoso / EyeEm/  Getty Images 

When the weather gets hot and sticky, we start looking for ways to cool off. While most people turn to salads and popsicles for relief, there's no need to stick to these American classics. Here are wonderful Chinese recipes for hot summer days, all served cold. You'll find appetizers, main dishes, and even desserts—all with a uniquely Asian twist.

  • 01 of 08

    Restaurant-Style Vegetarian Spring Rolls

    Vietnamese vegetable roll
    Juanmonino / Getty Images

    These restaurant-style vegetarian spring rolls are served cold, accompanied with a spicy ​hoisin and peanut butter dipping sauce. It's a refreshing combination of bean sprouts, carrot, lettuce, and cucumber.

  • 02 of 08

    Asian Coleslaw With Tangy Rice Vinegar Dressing

    Asian coleslaw
     Alexandra Grablewski/Getty Images

    Asian seasonings lend extra flavor to a standard coleslaw recipe, using red cabbage or Napa cabbage, bok choy, carrot, and mung bean sprouts. The addition of cilantro and toasted sesame seeds to this Asian coleslaw with tangy rice vinegar dressing makes it memorable.

  • 03 of 08

    Chinese Chicken Salad

    Brian Hagiwara / Getty Images

    This Chinese chicken salad is great for a luncheon, with mandarin oranges and chow mein noodles. You can also enjoy it in a wrap for a portable lunch. You'll roast the chicken breasts and shred them. If you have leftover chicken, it's a great way to turn it into a cold dish to enjoy the next day.

  • 04 of 08

    Chinese Noodles in Peanut Sauce

    James Baigrie/Photodisc/Getty Images

    Chinese noodles in peanut sauce are tossed with a flavorful dressing and served with a peanut, cucumbers and carrots for a garnish.​​​ 

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Chinese Almond Float Dessert

    MIXA/Getty Images

    This popular Chinese almond float dessert is normally served with fruit cocktail, but you can substitute any fresh fruit in season.​ You can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it to enjoy without heating up the kitchen later.

  • 06 of 08

    Mango Ice Cream

    Adrian Peacock/Photodisc/Getty Images

    Mango ice cream is the perfect tart/sweet dessert for a summer evening. If you have a good source of fresh mangoes, you will need two to three to make this recipe. You'll have to vary the amount of sugar depending on how sweet or tart the mangoes are. You can garnish the ice cream with more cubes of fresh mango.

  • 07 of 08

    Chinese Fruit Salad

    Fresh Fruit Salad
    Sino Images / Getty Images

    This colorful Chinese fruit salad is made with a Chinese five-spice and sugar topping. Enjoy it with tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, kiwi, tangerine, lychees, or longans—or with easier-to-find fruits such as melon, berries, peach, or apple. Look for Chinese peach at an Asian market; they are sweeter than many other types of peaches and a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. 

  • 08 of 08

    Sponge Cake With Coconut Icing

    Steamed Malay Sponge Cake
    Melissa Tse / Getty Images

    This simple sponge cake with coconut icing is a nice summer dessert. While not strictly speaking Chinese (it's from Malaysia) it still has a wonderfully Asian flavor.