When summer means beach days, road trips or escaping another California heat wave, the best dishes know how to keep their cool.

Longer days and warmer evenings bring plenty of excuses to gather around the table. Across continents, high temperatures encourage fresh ingredients, bright flavors and chilled preparations that make beating the heat possible – and delicious.

Dig into the Daily Bruin’s carefully selected seasonal favorites.

Ceviche

There’s nothing fishy about it. Ceviche is the best summer staple.

The Latin American dish is easy to make. Its smooth preparation matches the relaxation of the summer season. After dicing vegetables and marinating fish in lime or lemon juice in the fridge for about two hours, a tasty, zesty meal is ready. Letting the citrus “cook” the fish avoids the hassle of turning on the oven or lighting the stove. In Los Angeles, where summer temperatures soar, this small difference provides much-needed relief from the heat.

To eat ceviche, all that is needed is a tostada, tortilla chips or simply a spoon. Each of the three options lend themselves to a delightful dining experience. Enjoy it by the pool, the beach or on camping trips. Ceviche is adaptable, keeping up with any and all adventurous summer plans. It’s also a healthy meal, providing the energy needed for the bustle of the season. Packed in a tupperware, the piquant mixture travels just as well as its diners who enjoy it.

With its bright red tomatoes, leafy, green cilantro and sharp citrus flavor, ceviche is a true summer food – somehow more vibrant than the colors on the plate.

– Sara Green

[Related: Worth the Fare: Fresh loaves, delicious pastries at Jyan Isaac Bread]

Gelato

Life’s too short for bad ice cream.

Creamier but lighter on the palate than ice cream, gelato is an Italian staple – a frozen dessert evocative of warm afternoon walks and leisurely family outings after dinner. Originating in the 16th century, gelato is made from whole milk, sugar and other flavorings such as nuts, fruit and chocolate. It is traditionally served fresh from a display case rather than scooped from a deep freezer. The Italian treat prioritizes flavor over excess, encouraging each ingredient to shine.

Compared to traditional ice cream, gelato contains less butterfat. It is churned more slowly, crafting a denser, smoother consistency, a canvas for its vibrant flavors. From classic pistachio and stracciatella to bright passion fruit and tiramisu, each scoop balances luxury with lightness. Whether enjoyed while wandering the cobblestone streets of Rome or basking on the piazza-like patio outside of Café 1919, gelato captures the art of simplicity through silky sweetness.

One scoop is never enough.

– Presley Liu

[Related: Restaurant review: Worth the wait? Raising Cane’s Westwood location packs flavor into every dollar]

Naengmyeon

The coolest noodles ever.

When the Southern California heat becomes too much to bear, no dish refreshes quite like naengmyeon. The cold noodle dish originated in Korea as winter fare, but has become a summertime favorite and the country’s signature warm-weather meal since the arrival of commercial refrigeration. Made with chewy buckwheat noodles, naengmyeon is usually served either in an icy beef broth or in a spicy gochugaru sauce and accompanied by fresh toppings like crisp julienned cucumber, Asian pear, pickled radish and hard-boiled eggs. That array of crunchy, tangy banchan – Korean side dishes that traditionally come alongside meals – round out the affair, adding vibrant bursts of flavor between every slurp.

The deeply savory and slightly acidic broth is clean and delicate, and the springy noodles demand satisfying bites packed with textural variety. The spicy version offers a delicious relief through bright vinegar and a partial sweetness, balancing perfectly with the cool garnishes. Equal parts refreshing and filling, naengmyeon is tasty proof that comfort food can come chilly. When soup sounds impossible, these noodles answer the calls of a sweltering summer.

Summer is better served on ice.

– Emily Berkowitz