These two Japanese recipes offer light, refreshing flavors perfect for summer. One combines cucumber and shiitake in a sesame-vinegar dressing; the other pairs cucumber, crab, and ginger in a tangy marinade. Both are easy to make and highlight the clean, balanced taste found in traditional Japanese cooking.

This Shrimp and Glass Noodle Salad—known in Japan as Harusame Salad—is a classic example of light and flavorful Japanese recipes made for...