Shiitake Mushroom (Hniau3kor1 )

Shiitake mushroom (24 January 2009)


Shiitake mushroom, or hniau3kor1 in Penang Hokkien, is a delicious mushroom that is often used in Nyonya cooking. Shiitake is the Japanese name for Lentinula edodes. In Mandarin, it is known as xianggu, or fragrant mushroom. There are two types of shiitake: donggu or winter mushroom, and huagu or flower mushroom, determined by the flower-like pattern on its surface.

When bought from the market, shiitake is commonly sold in dry form, although fresh as well as canned shittake are available, usually at the supermarket or at the stall selling canned food.

Shiitake is not only delicious on its own, it brings enhances the flavor of the dishes into which it is added. It is considered a delicacy and so expectedly, quite expensive, so shiitake is used sparingly. One dish that uses it in generous amount is Fried Shiitake with Brocoli, a popular dish that appears on wedding dinner tables. Slivers of shiitake are also tossed into dishes such as Jiu Hu Char (Fried Cuttle Fish Floss) and Cap Chye (Ten Veges), two popular Nyonya dishes. It is also one of the ingredients in Chang (rice dumplings, zongzi).

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