Harusame Salad (Japanese Glass Noodle Salad)
Harusame Salad is a salad with dried bean (or potato) threads called Harusame and vegetables. This cold and smooth textured noodle dish is a great side dish any time, but especially good during hot summer days. The dressing is flavored with sesame oil and it tastes like a Chinese style salad.
What is Harusame?
Harusame (春雨), often called Japanese glass noodles, are thin, translucent noodles made primarily from mung bean starch or potato starch. They are widely used across Asian cuisines.
Harusame is sold in dried form and must be rehydrated before cooking. When dry, the noodles are opaque white. After soaking in hot water, they transform into smooth, clear strands with a pleasantly chewy texture. Since preparation methods can vary by brand, it’s best to follow the package instructions when rehydrating the noodles.
Because harusame has a very mild flavor on its own, it easily absorbs the taste of dressings, broths, and seasonings. In Japan, these versatile noodles are commonly used in hot pot dishes, soups, stir-fries, and salads like this one.
Harusame Salad is easy to make at home, yet it’s also a very common deli item in Japanese supermarkets and the famous underground department store food halls known as depachika. Many Japanese people also remember this dish from school lunches, making it a nostalgic comfort food for many.
Ingredients and Variations
While harusame noodles are primarily carbohydrates, this salad becomes a well-balanced and nutritious dish when combined with protein and vegetables.
In this version, we mix the noodles with:
- Kinshi Tamago (thin shredded egg crepe)
- Ham
- Cucumber
You can also customize your salad with:
- Julienned carrots
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Cooked ground beef
- Bell peppers
The combination of colorful vegetables and protein makes this a satisfying side dish for both children and adults.
Short Video
How to Serve Harusame Salad
For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the salad until thoroughly chilled before serving. When served cold, the noodles become extra refreshing and soothing—making this dish a perfect companion to grilled meats, bento lunches, or any summer meal.
If you’re looking for an easy Japanese side dish that’s light, flavorful, and family-friendly, this Harusame Salad is a must-try.
Video
Ingredients
- 50 g dried Harusame bean threads
- 1 recipe Kinshi Tamago
- 1 cucumber
- 2-3 slices ham
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Boil water in a small pot, add Harusame bean threads, and stir. Cook/rehydrate according to the package. Strain and let cool.
- Cut Kinshi Tamago very thinly. Cut cucumber and ham thinly too. Cut Harusame into 2"-3" long pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients for the dressing. Add the Tamago, cucumber, ham and Harusame and mix.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 mins to 1 hour before serving.
This recipe was originally published in August 2017. The post was updated on March 2, 2026 with more useful content, new photos and a short video.
great as always
Did you not forget to add the vinegar on the video ?
all the best
paul
Can I left the meat / ham in these recipe? because I can’t make it with fish or meat. Do you know a substitute? Thanks 🙂