When summer arrives in Jinan, few dishes capture the season better than cucumber with youtiao (fried dough sticks) and sesame cold noodles.

Cucumber with youtiao

This simple salad pairs cool, smashed cucumbers with crisp, golden pieces of fried dough sticks, creating a combination that is crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor.

The youtiao are refried until extra crispy, then tossed with cucumbers and coated in a savory dressing of sesame paste, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. As the cucumbers release their juices, the dressing becomes lighter and more balanced, coating each bite with a mix of nutty, tangy, and savory flavors.

Golden fried dough sticks and crisp cucumbers coat evenly in a rich sesame dressing. [Photo/WeChat account: Friendly Shandong]

Sesame cold noodles

For many Jinan residents, summer begins with a bowl of sesame cold noodles. Freshly cooked noodles are quickly cooled in spring water, giving them a firm, chewy texture. They are then topped with shredded cucumbers and carrots, pickled toon buds, minced garlic, and a generous spoonful of fragrant sesame paste.

After everything is mixed together, the silky sesame sauce coats every strand, blending nutty, savory, and garlicky flavors with the freshness of the vegetables. Cool, creamy and deeply satisfying, sesame cold noodles have long been a summer favorite in Jinan.

A freshly prepared bowl of cold noodles is topped with assorted vegetables and served with sesame paste in Jinan. [Photo/WeChat account: Friendly Shandong]