Soba [buckwheat noodles] restaurant chain Fuji Soba has partnered with confectioner Lotte's Coolish ice cream brand to introduce an innovative dish, Coolish Hiyashi Tanuki Soba, in Tokyo.  

This new offering combines the traditional Japanese cold soba noodle dish with a sweet twist, as reported by SoraNews24. 

Soba noodles are a versatile dish enjoyed throughout the year in Japan. During winter, a hot bowl of soba provides warmth, while in the summer, chilled soba serves as a refreshing meal.  

Fuji Soba's latest creation, however, takes the traditional cold soba experience to an unexpected level by incorporating ice cream into the mix containing noodles, tempura flakes, fried tofu and sliced green onion. 

The Coolish Hiyashi Tanuki Soba includes a pouch of Coolish ice cream, priced at ¥580 (US$3.85), which diners are encouraged to mix into the chilled soba broth.  

The broth, typically made with bonito stock, creates a unique sweet and savoury combination when blended with the ice cream.  

While the amount of ice cream added can be adjusted to personal preference, Fuji Soba suggests using the entire pouch for the full experience. 

The distinctive dish is not only innovative but also limited in availability. 

 It is being served as a time-limited, quantity-limited and location-limited offer.  

Only ten servings are available each day and the dish is currently exclusive to Fuji Soba's Ikebukuro and Gotanda branches in Tokyo.  

The special menu item is available until 31 August 2024, after which it will move to the Akasaka branch from 1 to 30 September.

McDonald's recently expanded its offerings in Japan with the introduction of the Watermelon Frappé and Banana Macaron, catering to the seasonal demand for cool treats.