Beat the Heat with 'Chilled Rice Bowls': NISHIKIYA KITCHEN Launches 'Tomato & Dashi Chilled Curry' and 'Domestic Sea Bream Hiyajiru' on May 28th!

NISHIKIYA KITCHEN (Nishiki Shokuhin Co., Ltd.; Headquarters: Iwanuma, Miyagi; President: Yoichi Kikuchi), a specialty store offering approximately 120 types of retort foods under the concept of 'Making world cuisine easy,' will launch 'Tomato & Dashi Chilled Curry' and 'Domestic Sea Bream Hiyajiru' on Thursday, May 28, 2026, for a limited summer period. In recent years, Japanese summers have become increasingly severe, with the Japan Meteorological Agency officially designating days with temperatures of 40°C or higher as 'extreme heat days' as of April 17, 2026. With record-breaking heat expected to continue throughout the summer of 2026, cooking in the kitchen has become a significant burden. Focusing on the global 'rice bowl culture,' NISHIKIYA KITCHEN has been offering a lineup of heat-to-eat products since 2019. However, in response to customer requests for delicious meals that don't require using fire in the summer, the company launched the 'Chilled Rice Bowl' series in 2026. This series is designed to be served without heating, simply by pouring it over rice, providing a cool and refreshing meal. The chilled curry and hiyajiru are highly versatile, allowing customers to add their favorite toppings to suit their appetite and physical condition during the summer.

Early sales saw many customers purchasing two or more items! Highlights of the 'Chilled Rice Bowl' series:

Around the world, there are dishes like Taiwan's Lu Rou Fan and Korea's Yukgaejang Gukbap, where ingredients or sauces are poured over rice. Japan also has a culture of pouring soups like Ochazuke or Hiyajiru over rice. NISHIKIYA KITCHEN focuses on this global 'rice bowl culture' to provide authentic flavors that are difficult to make at home. Even on days when you avoid going out due to extreme heat, you can easily enjoy a 'luxurious taste' at home.

NISHIKIYA KITCHEN held an early sale for members from May 23 (Sat) to May 25 (Mon) on its official online shop. About half of the purchasers were women, and it was particularly well-received by those in their 30s to 50s. Notably, the 'Domestic Sea Bream Hiyajiru' was purchased in quantities of two or more on average.

1. Zero-second preparation: Just cool in the refrigerator and serve.
This series allows you to prepare meals without using fire, even in a hot summer kitchen.
2. One bowl, less cleanup.
Simply serve rice in a bowl, pour the product over it, add your favorite toppings, and it's ready. Cleanup is minimal.
3. Luxurious and easy-to-eat flavors utilizing the umami of 'dashi'.
The series focuses on the base dashi, providing a familiar and easy-to-eat flavor even when appetite is low in summer. The ability to customize with toppings is also a key appeal.

[Summer Exclusive] Two types of chilled rice bowl toppings:
■ Tomato & Dashi Chilled Curry
The base uses Hokkaido-grown true kelp dashi for a familiar, easy-to-eat flavor. It is a chilled curry that brings out the moderate acidity of tomatoes and the umami of Japanese dashi. It uses grilled tomatoes as an ingredient and is finished with refreshing spices for a light taste. [Price: 420 yen (tax included), Content: 160g]

■ Domestic Sea Bream Hiyajiru
'Hiyajiru,' a local specialty of Miyazaki and Ehime, is said to have originated from farmers and fishermen who would mix miso and water with leftover barley rice from the previous day. NISHIKIYA KITCHEN has created a hiyajiru that highlights the elegant flavor of domestic sea bream. It uses barley miso and rice miso, combined with roasted sesame and powdered muro-aji (mackerel scad) flakes to enhance the umami and aroma. It also combines three types of dashi to add depth to the flavor. It is a chilled rice bowl that is easy to eat. [Price: 420 yen (tax included), Content: 170g]