cold dish Recipes
27 delicious cold dish recipes from around the world
Carpe à la Juive (Alsatian Jewish-Style Carp)
A classic Alsatian Jewish Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah dish. Whole carp is gently poached in a flavorful court-bouillon, then chilled in the resulting gelatinous broth until set. The dish is served cold, allowing the natural collagen from the fish to create a delicate jelly, offering a unique sweet and sour flavor profile.
Coronation Chicken
A classic British dish created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. This cold chicken salad features tender chicken coated in a creamy, curried mayonnaise with a hint of sweetness from mango chutney and a delightful chew from raisins. Perfect for sandwiches, jacket potatoes, or as part of a buffet.
Ensaladilla Rusa
A classic Spanish potato salad, Ensaladilla Rusa, features tender diced vegetables and flaked tuna bound together with creamy mayonnaise. It's a staple in Spanish tapas bars and a refreshing dish perfect for any occasion.
Karp w Galarecie (Carp in Aspic)
A traditional Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) delicacy, this dish features tender carp poached and set in a crystal-clear, flavorful aspic, often garnished with decorative elements.
Rollmops (Pickled Herring Rolls)
Rollmops are a traditional German appetizer or snack consisting of pickled herring fillets rolled around a pickle spear, often with onion and spices. They are particularly popular as a 'hangover cure' due to the savory and tangy flavors.
Śledzie w Śmietanie (Herring in Sour Cream)
A classic Polish appetizer, Śledzie w Śmietanie features salt herring fillets marinated in a creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce with onions and apples. It's a traditional and beloved dish, especially for Christmas Eve (Wigilia) and other celebrations.
Smörgåstårta (Swedish Savory Sandwich Cake)
A visually stunning and delicious savory layered sandwich cake, traditionally served for celebrations. It features alternating layers of soft bread, creamy fillings, and is elaborately decorated to resemble a formal cake.
Bibim Guksu (Spicy Korean Cold Noodles)
A vibrant and refreshing Korean dish featuring chewy wheat noodles tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy gochujang-based sauce, topped with crisp vegetables and a hard-boiled egg. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, especially on a warm day.
Cơm Hến (Hue Baby Clam Rice)
A refreshing and unique Hue specialty, Cơm Hến features chilled rice mixed with tiny, flavorful baby clams, a medley of fresh herbs, crunchy toppings, and a hint of spicy chili oil. It's a delightful cold dish perfect for a light meal.
Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu)
Hiyayakko is a quintessential Japanese summer dish featuring chilled silken tofu served with simple, fresh toppings. It's celebrated for its refreshing simplicity and delicate flavors.
Kongguksu (Korean Cold Soy Milk Noodles)
A refreshing and protein-rich Korean summer noodle dish featuring chilled noodles served in a creamy, homemade cold soy milk broth. It's surprisingly simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
Liang Mian (Chinese Cold Sesame Noodles)
A refreshing and flavorful Chinese cold noodle dish featuring tender noodles coated in a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy sesame sauce. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, especially during warmer months.
Mercimek Köftesi (Turkish Red Lentil and Bulgur Patties)
Mercimek Köftesi are delicious, savory patties made from red lentils and fine bulgur, infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Traditionally served as a vegan mezze or appetizer, they are flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make.
Midye Dolma (Turkish Stuffed Mussels)
A classic Turkish street food, Midye Dolma are mussels stuffed with a fragrant, spiced rice pilaf. They are typically served chilled with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Naengmyeon (Korean Cold Noodles)
A refreshing Korean summer dish featuring chewy buckwheat noodles served in a bracingly cold, tangy broth or tossed with a spicy sauce. This recipe focuses on the classic mul naengmyeon (water naengmyeon).
Pai Huang Gua (Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad)
A classic Chinese cold appetizer, Pai Huang Gua features crisp cucumbers smashed to create a rough texture, perfect for absorbing a tangy, savory, and slightly spicy dressing. It's incredibly refreshing and addictive, making it a popular side dish.
Patlıcanlı Musakka (Turkish Cold Moussaka)
A refreshing Turkish take on moussaka, this dish features layers of tender fried eggplant and a savory tomato-meat sauce, served chilled. Unlike its Greek counterpart, this version is lighter and omits béchamel sauce.
Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad)
A refreshing and flavorful Turkish white bean salad, a specialty from Antalya. This dish features tender white beans tossed with a creamy tahini-lemon dressing, thinly sliced red onion, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of tangy sumac. Hard-boiled eggs add richness. Best served at room temperature.
Yaprak Sarma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Delicate grape leaves meticulously rolled around a fragrant rice and herb filling, then gently simmered. A quintessential cold mezze, perfect for sharing.
Zaru Soba
A refreshing Japanese summer dish featuring chilled soba (buckwheat noodles) served on a bamboo mat (zaru) with a savory dipping sauce (tsuyu). The noodles are thoroughly rinsed to remove excess starch, ensuring a clean flavor and pleasant texture.
Ensalada de Gallina (Venezuelan Chicken Salad)
A classic Venezuelan chicken salad featuring tender shredded chicken, diced potatoes and carrots, sweet peas, and crisp apple, all bound together with creamy mayonnaise. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, especially during festive occasions.
Ensalada Rusa
A classic Argentine potato salad, Ensalada Rusa is a comforting and flavorful side dish featuring finely diced vegetables bound together with creamy mayonnaise. Perfect for barbecues and family gatherings.
Escabeche de Pescado
A classic Peruvian dish featuring pan-fried white fish bathed in a vibrant, tangy escabeche sauce of pickled onions and ají amarillo. This dish showcases the influence of colonial heritage on Peruvian cuisine.
Vitel Toné
A classic Argentine Christmas dish, Vitel Toné features tender, cold-sliced veal bathed in a rich, creamy tuna and anchovy sauce. It's a beloved festive meal, originating from Italian traditions but uniquely adapted in Argentina.