A simplified version of this Kitchn recipe, this is a nice accompaniment to sushi and other Japanese meals.

2-3 Persian or mini cucumbers, cut to desired size/shape
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon mirin
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 medium scallion, thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Furkiake seasoning (optional)

Jon was very skeptical due to lingering dislike of salmon patties from his youth, but he admitted these were actually quite good. Courtesy of Bon Appetit. Serves 4.

1½ pounds boneless, skinless center-cut salmon, patted dry
5 scallions, green parts finely chopped, white parts thinly sliced
1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
1 garlic clove, finely grated
2 tablespoons plus ⅔ cup mayonnaise
Kosher salt

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Tasty and easy Bon Appetit recipe, tweaked only ever so slightly.

Serve with steamed white rice and a vegetable side such as sunomono-style cucumbers or stir-fried broccoli.

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

We made a really great cold noodle salad, courtesy of Bon Appetit. It was made extra-delicious and protein-rich by topping it with leftover cold sliced grilled Malaysian steak skewers. Grill the skewers on the weekend and you have an easy weeknight meal almost ready to go!

1/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (skin removed and cut into 1 1/2" cubes)

Marinade:
1 scallion (white part only, cut into very thin slices)
1 tbsp miso paste
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sake (or dry vermouth)
1 slice bacon

Yakiniku no tare (for basting and dipping)
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
3/4 cup mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup sake (or more mirin and some vermouth)
3/4 teaspoon (packed) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 scallions, chopped

So, there's this Japanese movie, Tampopo, all about a woman's quest to serve the perfect noodle soup in her small roadside soup shop. If nothing else, its an interesting look at Japanese food culture.

Anyway, inspired by that and memories of walking by this (Japanese, I think) soup shop ever day we were in Paris last year, I decided we should try and make Japanese. soup. Our local bodega, P&C Market, sells Japanese noodles (both soba and udon), so we gave it a whirl. It actually turned out pretty good for the first shot.