An edible fungus known as Kikurage is a favorite topping for Japanese ramen noodles. In Chinese, it is also known as Jew’s ear, Wood Ear Mushroom, Black Fungus, Jelly Ear, and Mu Er. The cloud ear mushroom is renowned for its nutritional richness. Here are a few quick recipes and instructions on how to cook it.
The Kikurage mushroom has a wide range of health advantages. They have fewer than 1 gram of fat per cup, no sugar, and little calories. Moreover, they offer more than half of the daily required fiber intake.
The iron content and B vitamin content of this Japanese mushroom are both rather high. These vitamins nourish the liver and aid the body in converting carbs into energy. They can aid in weight loss and are a great source of fiber.
The name of the edible mushroom comes from how much it resembles an ear. Kikurage is a dark brown substance with a smooth exterior on both sides. Raw wood ear mushrooms smell lightly like wood. The mushroom is gelatinous after cooking and readily takes on the flavors of the meal.
It is frequently eaten cold in a salad and is widely consumed in China and Japan.
What is Kikurage in ramen? Let’s find in this article.
What is Kikurage mushroom?
Kikurage mushrooms are a type of edible Japanese fungus that are frequently used in Japanese cooking. It has a flat, dark brown form. It has a unique flavor and a little woodsy flavour to its meaty flesh.
It tastes slightly woodsy when eaten fresh. It may be used in salads and fast food items once it has been cooked and turned gelatinous. You may rehydrate it by dipping it in water as well.
In both China and Japan, the kikurage mushroom is commonly consumed. Most frequently, it is consumed cold in salads or chopped into matchsticks for ra ra ramen. And when cooked, it can grow by three to four times its original size.
It’s critical to complete this step at least two hours before serving since it rehydrates fast in water. Kikurage will become less crunchy and expand less when rehydrated in warm water. Within two to three days of purchase, it must be consumed.
A dried kind of mushrooms is known as kikurage. The best way to prepare it is to submerge it in water for at least fifteen minutes. It will then revert to its previous size and soften.
It is a beloved meal because of its beautiful crispy texture. With kikurage cuisine, there are various dishes available. Check out our kikurage recipe to learn more about this amazing mushroom!
How to prepare
You can be curious in how to prepare kikurage mushrooms whether you want to try something new or are interested in kiku japanese restaurant food. Fortunately, it is a quick and easy process that can be finished. You should first bring some water to a boil while adding some sugar.
The kikurage mushrooms should be added to the boiling water and soaked for 15 minutes. When the mushrooms are prepared, you may cook them as usual, but you’ll want to wait until they have totally cooled down.
What is Kikurage in ramen?
Wood Ear Mushrooms
Although the fungus is generally found in the early summer and winter, grown forms are available all year round. The mushroom was once known as the Judas Iscariot because it was said that after betraying Jesus Christ, he hung himself on an elder tree. Judas’s ear was the popular moniker, however it was eventually shortened to Judas ear, Jew’s ear, jelly ear, and wood ear. It is located in Asia and is also known as Yung NGO. The Chinese have been using it in medicine since the Tang Dynasty. They included in foods to enhance breathing, blood circulation, and overall health.
Wood Ear Mushroom Ramen Recipe
There is a certain technique to prepare the wood ear mushroom before making the recipe:
Then, soak it for up to two hours in cold water. The mushroom may grow four times larger by doing this. You may soak dried black fungus for 20 minutes in warm water for quick effects. When submerged in cold water, it does not expand and loses some of its crunch.
This meal is straightforward to prepare and has plenty of nutrients ideal for a vegan diet.
Wood Ear Mushroom Nutritional Value
- Calories 12.8kcal
- Carbohydrates 3.28 grams
- Fat 0 grams
- Fiber 3.15 grams
- Potassium 33.9 grams
- Protein 0.4 grams
- Saturated Fat 0 grams
- Sodium 1.6mg
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh wood ear mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon oil of choice
- 1 onion
- 1 cup of ramen noodles
- Two tablespoons soy sauce
- One tablespoon of regular vinegar (mirin)
Chinese Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
In China and Japan, the wood ear mushroom is a delectable delicacy. It is typically consumed cold in salads or sliced thinly and put to ramen. It expands fast, but before cooking, it must be rehydrated. The texture of the mushroom will change if you rehydrate it in water for 20 minutes.
Moreover, it loses its crunch and expands less. You may use it for a few days or a week after rehydrating it. You could simply boil the mushrooms in cold water and serve them later if you don’t have time to make a salad.
This salad is flavorful and adaptable. The wood ear mushroom sauce is a delicious dipping sauce for meat or dumpling appetizers.
The dressing is tasty on its own and simple to make. It is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Just be sure to go through our recipes for further ideas on how to prepare these delectable mushrooms!
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Health Kikurage Mushrooms Benefits
Among its many health advantages, wood ear mushrooms are an excellent source of copper, a vitamin crucial to the metabolism of iron. Moreover, it protects against heart disease and maintains heart health.
Several negative repercussions of copper deficiency include diarrhea, lowered immunity, weakening bones, and anemia. In chilly climates, wood ear mushrooms can be seen growing on wood. They are very distinct from other kinds of mushrooms, although having a similar appearance.
Similar to its black fungus cousin, the black wood ear mushroom tastes more earthy and woody. It works well in stir-fries and soups.
It may take on the taste and texture of other meals thanks to its moderate flavor. Despite the fact that wood ear mushrooms are loaded with vitamins and minerals, their digestive advantages are what set them apart. They are very high in fiber and have little calories.
A great supply of beta-carotene, which is necessary for clear vision, is found in wood ear mushrooms. Many eye diseases can also be treated with them. They also guard against respiratory infections and support the condition of the skin, hair, and teeth.
Wood ear mushrooms can be found dried and used to a number of foods. They frequently go into soups or dumpling fillings because of their various culinary applications.
Kikurage Mushroom Nutrition
Specialty mushrooms with a high nutritional value are kikurage mushrooms. They primarily develop around the stems of Sambucus plants and grow in bunches on wood. They thrive on a range of organic wastes, and depending on the substrate and environmental factors, they have varying nutritional values.
Rinsing kikurage mushrooms thoroughly is the first stage in preparation. Then, finely slice the mushrooms and squeeze off any extra juice. Following that, the mushrooms can be stir-fried with ra-yu.
Iron and antioxidant content are both quite high in kikurage mushrooms, which are also exceptionally nutrient-dense. They are also known to assist in lowering inflammation and blood clotting. Kikurage mushrooms can also aid in enhancing intestinal health.
Conclusion
The mushroom is also known as kikurage in Japan, while it is also referred to as jelly ear in Japanese food. Kikurage is also referred to as hei mu-er in Chinese. The first step is to rehydrate them as it is frequently marketed dry.
You may prepare the mushrooms in a variety of ways after rehydrating them. The first step is to submerge them for at least 30 minutes in warm water. You may examine the mushrooms’ softness and gelatinousness at this point.
While the history and tradition of kikurage in ramen is significant, it remains just one part of the overall flavor offered in many varieties of this classic dish. From classic shoyu and miso to more creative and innovative flavors, how you mix-and-match ingredients in your ramen will determine your unique flavor profile. So explore your options and understand each of the ingredients that make up a bowl of ramen, because understanding what is kikurage in ramen could mean you discovering a new favorite flavor. Not only that, but if our blog post has given you an appetite to try this snackable delicacy out for yourself, then get ready! Delicious possibilities await! And remember: if you ever have any questions or need advice on how to cook a bowl of ramen, don’t hesitate to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers– we’re here to help!