10 Chilled Dishes That Will Help Beat the Houston Heat

Cool off with ceviche, chilled noodles, and more

by Amy McCarthy Jul 20, 2018, 11:00am CDT

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Spicy chilled noodles at Ramen Tatsu-ya

| Carla Gomez

by Amy McCarthy Jul 20, 2018, 11:00am CDT

This time of year, the Texas heat can feel totally oppressive. Instead of subsisting on the usual diet of barbecue and tacos, summer requires that Houstonians consider lighter dining options.

From crudos to chilled dumplings, these 10 Houston dishes are equal parts delicious and refreshing.

Is your favorite chilled dish missing from this map? Shout it out in the comments.

Korea Garden Restaurant

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In addition to fresh banchan, chill out with Korean soups at this beloved restaurant. Try the hoenaengmyeon, a soup with cold buckwheat noodles and marinated skate.

9501 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055

(713) 468-2800

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Calle Onze

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Swoop into this Heights newcomer for a fresh ceviche made with line-caught snapper, mango, citrus, and jicama.

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222 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

(832) 767-1417

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Xochi

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Four different crudos await at Xochi, and that’s definitely enough to make a chilled meal. The callo de hacha, made with scallop, cucumber, and chile de arbol verde, is fresh and full of flavor.

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1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010

(713) 400-3330

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SeaSide Poke

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Poke is an obvious summer dish, and SeaSide is a solid destination for a raw fish bowl. Go for the salmon ponzu bowl — it’s packed with edamame and juicy orange wedges.

2118 Lamar St #101, Houston, TX 77003

(346) 319-4915

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East Hampton Sandwich Company

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The lobster roll at this Houston newcomer is served chilled. Giant chunks of Maine lobster are tossed in Old Bay mayo and tucked into a buttered roll, and it pairs perfectly with Meyer lemon lemonade.

907 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

(281) 624-4621

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Ramen Tatsu-ya

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Skip the steaming hot bowls at this Montrose ramen shop in favor of a bowl of spicy chilled noodles. Made with chilled noodles, cucumbers, soy-marinated egg, this brothless bowl is totally refreshing.

1722 California St, Houston, TX 77006

(346) 226-3253

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Kenny & Ziggy's

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There are plenty of chilled sandwiches and salads on the menu at this Houston deli, but make a special trip for the borscht, a cold beet soup served in the traditional style with a scoop of sour cream. The deli platter is also an excellent option, with scoops of cole slaw, macaroni salad, egg salad, and tons of veggies.

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2327 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

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Roka Akor

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Splurge on the finest beef and seafood, served chilled, at this Japanese steak and sushi house. Consider the Japanese A5 wagyu, or perhaps a toro tartare served with Ossetra caviar and quail egg.

2929 Weslayan St #100, Houston, TX 77027

(713) 622-1777

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BCN Taste & Tradition

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A spread of cool appetizers awaits at this Spanish stunner, including Manzanilla olives, cucumber tartare served with beet foam, and pork feet carpaccio served with porcini and chanterelle mushrooms.

4210 Roseland St, Houston, TX 77006

(832) 834-3411

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Mala Sichuan Bistro

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A bounty of chilled dishes await at this James Beard-nominated Sichuan eatery, including mouth-tingling dan dan noodles, red oil dumplings, and garlic-chili cucumbers.

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036

(713) 995-1889

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