Japanese

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 15 min

There is no dessert course in a traditional Japanese meal. Instead, pickles that refresh the palate are often the last thing eaten.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Plump scallops, sprinkled with salt and pepper, are lightly grilled and served with a salsa rich in parsley and diced vegetables. The salsa should be made just before eating; otherwise the liquid content of the vegetables will turn the dish watery.

Yakitori at its simplest is a chicken shish kabab with a very Japanese flavor. Pieces of dark meat are served either by themselves, neatly speared onto the ends of small bamboo skewers (three makes a serving), or interspersed with bits of green bell pepper or scallion. As the meat is grilled, it is dipped into a sweetened soy-based sauce. The servings are tantalizingly small, but you can have as many as you want. If you are hungry enough for a full meal, you can serve yakitori on a bowl of rice with tea and pickles on the side.

Japanese cucumbers are small, virtually seedless, and quite crunchy. Young English cucumbers make a good alternative. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The somen noodles called for in this recipe are a very thin Japanese wheat noodle. They are available in the Asian section of many supermarkets, at Southeast Asian markets and at specialty foods stores.

This classic Japanese comfort food is a combination of chicken and egg (oyako means “parent and child”) simmered in sweet-savory broth and served over rice.

Spicy tinned salmon (or tuna!) is a fast track to flavor in these simple hand rolls—particularly when mashed with some oil from the can and a slick of mayo.

A 20-minute dinner everyone will ask for again.

Bouncier than a bobblehead and fluffier than a cloud, this cheesecake is a keeper.

Comprised of a custardy pantry-forward okonomiyaki batter studded with shredded cabbage and bacon, this Japanese pancake is a fast track to dinner.

These Japanese rice balls filled with salty-sweet salmon are customizable, fun, and great for snacking.

Brussels sprouts get a high-heat roast (key for crispy edges and zero boiled-cabbage flavor) before getting tossed in a sweet soy glaze.

This weeknight meal hits all the high notes of the beloved sushi roll.

Instant dashi and shaved beef provide both ease and deep flavor in this weeknight dinner spin on the Japanese-style hot pot.

This brothy bowl is just what the doctor ordered, with lots of fresh ginger and kicky jalapeños.

The secret to success? Kneading with your feet.