Fried Enoki Mushrooms Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Fry

by: Jun

October4,2022

5

7 Ratings

  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 2 to 3

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Author Notes

I love crispy vegetables, from oven-roasted kale and deep-fried lotus root chips to sweet potato fries and tempura-ed okra. Lately, my obsession lies with enoki mushrooms. These delicate, needle-like mushrooms popular in Japanese and Korean cooking are subtly sweet and comfortingly chewy when cooked in soups and stews—but when deep-fried, they take on a different disposition. After a brief bath in hot oil, the delicate tendrils of the mushroom will turn into crisp shards and its batter-coated stem will firm up. When bitten into, the crust will shatter, giving way to the tender mushroom-meat within.

While deep-frying can sometimes be a daunting, laborious task at home—with the hot oil’s penchant to splatter and the more complex cleanup—these enokis fry within a couple minutes, with minimal mess. Stir up a quick batter, dunk in thinly sliced mushrooms, and drop them in hot oil. Within a minute or two, they’ll take on a golden hue, and the needle-like caps will get that craggy crunch you’re looking for.

Once fried and showered with good old salt and pepper, I’d highly recommend giving the mushroom a touch more character with a light dusting of homemade mala spice powder. It gives it a fragrant piquancy that makes you yearn for more. —Jun

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Watch This Recipe

Fried EnokiMushrooms

Ingredients
  • Mala Spice Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoonSichuan peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoonsweet paprika
  • 1 teaspooncumin seeds
  • 1 teaspooncoriander seeds
  • Fried Mushrooms
  • 8 ounces(227 grams) enoki mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup(60 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 5 tablespoons(40 grams) cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon(2 grams) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon(3 grams) kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoonwhite pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoongarlic powder
  • Neutral oil (such as vegetable), for deep-frying
  • 1/2 teaspoon(3 grams) fine sea salt
  • Ketchup, Japanese mayonnaise, or sweet Thai chile sauce, for serving (optional)
Directions
  1. Make the mala spice seasoning: Place the Sichuan peppercorns, paprika, cumin, and coriander seeds into a medium skillet, and heat on medium-high for 1 to 2 minutes, until the spices start to pop, or when you see the first signs of smoke from the pan. Transfer the spices to a spice grinder (or mortar and pestle) and grind until the mixture becomes a fine powder.
  2. Prepare the mushrooms: Trim off the brownish roots of the enoki mushrooms, then very thinly slice the mushroom bundle lengthwise through the base into thin slabs.
  3. In a wide (preferably flat-bottomed) bowl or pie plate, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, kosher salt, white pepper, garlic powder, and 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water into a smooth slurry, with no bits of flour remaining.
  4. Line a sheet pan with paper towels. Pour the oil into a large, high-sided skillet or pot until the oil is 2 inches deep. Place the skillet over medium heat and heat the oil until it reaches 350°F.
  5. Working with 2 to 3 slices of mushroom at a time, coat the mushrooms into the batter, lifting to let any excess batter drip off, and gently drop the mushrooms into the oil. Deep-fry the mushrooms for about 2 minutes, flipping halfway, until the mushrooms are a deep golden color and the tops of the mushrooms turn crisp and crackly (the batter may remain pale or may take on a bit of color). Remove the mushrooms from the oil with a pair of chopsticks or tongs onto the prepared sheet pan. Working in batches, repeat with the remaining mushrooms.
  6. Season the fried mushrooms with fine sea salt and the mala spice seasoning, then serve immediately, with ketchup, mayonnaise, or chile sauce if using.

Tags:

  • Japanese
  • Szechuan
  • Korean
  • Mushroom
  • Fry
  • Appetizer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • 3jamigos

  • Annie

  • Joan Summers

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3 Reviews

3jamigos April 8, 2023

Quick and easy to make! Our Friday splurge, deep-frying…so worth it. The batter comes together quickly, the mushrooms are crispy and delicious. Sprinkled some coarse salt on them and served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce. Highly recommend.

Annie December 18, 2022

I loved this. Made it with oyster mushrooms instead and it was still great.

Joan S. February 23, 2022

I am looking forward to making this recipe. It looks easy to make. I love your instructional videos.

Fried Enoki Mushrooms Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How long do enoki mushrooms need to be cooked? ›

Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the mushrooms soften.

What is the best way to eat enoki mushrooms? ›

Enoki mushrooms are cooked with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a quick, tasty side dish that pairs well with an Asian-themed meal. They would also be great added to a stir-fry. This delicious enoki mushroom recipe is incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients you likely already have on hand.

What happens if you don't cook enoki mushrooms properly? ›

These bacteria grow on enoki mushrooms. Eating enoki mushrooms raw can lead to listeriosis or food poisoning. So, make sure you wash and cook enoki mushrooms properly before eating them.

Do you cook enoki mushrooms before putting in ramen? ›

Add them to your broth: Simply toss the cleaned and trimmed enoki mushrooms into your simmering ramen broth and let them cook for a couple of minutes until tender. Garnish your ramen bowl: Sprinkle a handful of raw enoki mushrooms on top of your assembled ramen bowl for added crunch and freshness.

Is it OK to eat enoki mushrooms raw? ›

Do not eat raw enoki mushrooms. Cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.

Do enoki mushrooms fully digest? ›

Shortly, enoki mushrooms (AKA needle mushrooms) contain high amount of chitosan, which is a type of fibre that prevents absorption of nutrients. It is actually a mushroom analog of chitin biopolymer which is present at lower animal tissues. It protects the mushroom from digestion.

How do you know when enoki mushrooms are done? ›

Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or just until the mushrooms start to turn tender. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to let the sauce marinate with the mushrooms even further. You can tell the mushrooms are tender when they are a little more limp than they were at the beginning.

Can you overcook enoki mushrooms? ›

Enoki are also great when lightly cooked in soups and stir-fries with vegetables and meat. Be cautious not to over-cook them as it can make their stems tough and stringy. Enoki mushrooms will last for about one week with proper refrigeration.

Why are enoki mushrooms so chewy? ›

Enoki mushrooms are thin and delicate and cook quickly. Around two minutes of sautéeing yields a crunchy texture, while cooking beyond that will cause the enokis to become increasingly chewy.

When should I not eat enoki mushrooms? ›

CDC and FDA advise people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to cook enoki mushrooms thoroughly, and to: Avoid eating enoki mushrooms raw. Keep raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won't be cooked. Wash your hands, items, and surfaces that have touched raw enoki mushrooms.

What Cannot be eaten with mushroom? ›

Spicy dishes: While mushrooms can add depth and richness to a spicy dish, they may not hold up well against very intense spice levels. Citrus-heavy dishes: Mushrooms may not work well with very acidic or citrus-heavy dishes, as the acidity can overpower the mushrooms' delicate flavor.

Why is enoki mushroom expensive? ›

However, it also highlights that wild versions of these mushrooms can be significantly more expensive, with a price of $344 per kilogram. This suggests that wild enoki mushrooms are harder to find or harvest, making them a premium and sought-after ingredient in the culinary market.

How to prep enoki mushroom for ramen? ›

Enoki mushrooms can be cooked directly in the broth of ramen before serving. Add them to the broth at the end of cooking, just before serving. Stir gently and cook for 1–2 minutes. The mushrooms should remain crisp and most of the flavor will come through.

Are enoki mushrooms healthy? ›

Enoki mushrooms are highly nutritious, packing a good amount of fiber, antioxidants, and B vitamins into each serving. They've also been associated with numerous health benefits and may help support heart health, brain function, immunity, and more.

What are the rubbery mushrooms in ramen? ›

Kikurage, wood ear mushroom, is a common topping on Japanese ramen. This is because it adds a chewy texture and absorbs the flavors of the ramen noodles and of the ramen broth. It is called wood ear mushroom because its shape resembles that of an ear.

How long should mushroom be cooked for? ›

Mushrooms cook best in a quick, high-temperature roast. Cook your mushrooms uncovered in a pan at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until they are slightly browned.

How long does mushrooms need to be cooked? ›

When the oil or melted butter is hot, add the mushrooms. You should hear a sizzle. (If the fat isn't hot enough, the mushrooms will start to water out and steam instead of sautéing.) Cook the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes or until they're tender and lightly browned.

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