Most woks are bigger than necessary for just a few people at home—so we looked to Japan to find one that’s just right. Ideal when cooking for smaller groups of two or three, this compact wok is the perfect vessel for side dishes and quick stir-fries. Made from durable carbon steel with a hammered finish, the Wahei Freiz Enzo Wok heats up quickly, retaining and distributing high heat beautifully to achieve crisp veggies, well-seared meat and more.

Designed to be ultra-lightweight and fashioned with a sturdy beechwood handle that’s comfortable in the hand, tossing, saucing and stirring is quick and easy, unlike cooking with other heavier woks. Plus, the wooden handle stays cool and won’t burn your hand. And unlike most woks that aren’t compatible with certain cooktops, the flat bottomed finish on the Enzo means you can use it on a gas, electric or induction stoves.

Made by expert metal craftsmen in Tsubame, Japan, Wahei Freiz’s Enzo Frying Pan is the small and medium pan built for frying. It’s made from carbon steel, a lighter weight professional-grade iron durability of cast iron without all the heft, with a wide, thick bottom that heats evenly and deeply sloped sides that are perfect for saucework. The pan won’t cool down if you add more ingredients to it, a benefit of Wahei Freiz’s proprietary carbon steel, and the custom shape has to be finished either by hand or lathe, since it’s optimized for maximum surface area, efficient cooking and hard sears.

This lightweight pan is easy to maneuver and lift; we could toss and flip its contents with ease during testing. It’s fabulous for steaks, chicken thighs, fillets of fish, eggs and even stir-fries, thanks to the higher sides. The pan works on gas stoves as well as induction stoves. Like other premium carbon steel pans, the pan will get even better with time. Very limited availability in the United States.

As attractive as they are functional, yukihira pans are traditional Japanese saucepans that date back centuries for cooking soups, broths and stews. What sets them apart from European-style sauce pans are the thin construction and textured hammered finish—and this one from Wahei Freiz comes with a custom-fit sieve. The pot’s thin stainless steel bottom heats up fast, perfect for boiling water or reducing sauces or soups, and the hammered surface has two advantages: It both strengthens the thin metal and creates more surface area to help foods cook fast and cut down on reduction time. The wooden handle will stay cool during use, and dual pour spouts—perfect for left- and right-handed cooks—minimize spills while serving.

Hitting the right balance between fine and coarse mesh, the sieve allows for efficient drainage without leaking, perfect for washing anything from rice to leafy greens and draining pasta or grains. Try the set together for simmering, boiling, frying, steaming and draining—we like it for blanching vegetables, boiling eggs, reheating pasta, preparing soups, stocks and sauces, particularly soy sauce tare, miso soup or Japanese dashi stock. And since they’re made of stainless steel, these pots are easy to clean, and work well on gas, electric and induction cooktops.

Made by expert metal craftsmen in Tsubame, Japan, Wahei Freiz’s Enzo Bowl and Strainer Set will be a long-lasting and handy addition to your kitchen. Made of rust-resistant, easy-to-clean, ultra-durable stainless steel, this stackable mixing bowl and strainer set is lightweight but stable on your counter or in your sink. Hitting the right balance between fine and coarse mesh, the sieve allows for efficient drainage without leaking, perfect for washing anything from rice to leafy greens. It nestles snugly into the bowl when stored, and sits up on low-profile feet for extra clearance when draining.

And its bowl companion is just the right depth to stir ingredients, subtly curved and finished with a smooth lip for an easy grip when working. It’s sturdy, too—it beat lesser bowls by a mile during testing, less likely to dent or nick.

Designed in Tsubame, Japan, by skilled metal craftsmen, this unique stainless steel tea kettle brings water to a boil faster than any kettle you’ve probably tried. The low profile square pot has a flat, thin bottom that distributes heat more equally, so it heats noticeably faster than a standard tea pot, whether it’s on a gas, electric or induction burner. Plus, it’s equipped with a built-in strainer that comes in greater contact with anything you’re steeping, so you can make tea and coffee, or even dashi, directly in the kettle. Prefer it cold? Simply put your kettle in the fridge—the steeped beverage will cool down quickly for satisfying iced drinks. And the compact shape makes for simple storage, made even easier by the fold-down handles. Even better? This kettle won’t make that annoying whistle—instead, you’ll just see the steam of boiling water, ready to go for whatever you’re making.