
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular ingredient in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. They are known for their rich depth of flavor and can be used in a variety of dishes, including fried rice, pilaf, and Japanese mushroom rice. When paired with rice, shiitake mushrooms add a savory and comforting taste to the dish. The mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, including stir-frying, sautéing, and roasting, and are often combined with other ingredients such as garlic, green onions, and soy sauce to enhance their flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Shiitake mushrooms have a strong mushroom taste and smell and a rich depth of flavor. |
| Versatility | Shiitake mushrooms are versatile and can be used in various dishes, including fried rice, pilaf, stew, stir-fry, pot roast, and claypot rice. |
| Complementary Ingredients | Shiitake mushrooms go well with rice, vegetables (e.g., onions, ginger, carrots, asparagus, green onions), meat (e.g., chicken, pork), and soy sauce-based broth. |
| Cooking Techniques | Shiitake mushrooms can be sautéed, stir-fried, grilled, or cooked in a rice cooker. |
| Preparation | Dried shiitake mushrooms should be soaked in water for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. |
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What You'll Learn

Shiitake mushroom fried rice
Shiitake mushrooms have a strong flavour and a rich depth of taste that pairs well with rice. This is why shiitake mushroom fried rice is such a popular dish.
Ingredients
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Rice (day-old leftover rice is best)
- Oil (neutral, high-temperature oil such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable or canola oil, sunflower oil, or peanut oil)
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Eggs (omit if making vegan)
- Chicken bouillon powder (or MSG)
- Toasted sesame oil
Method
- Prepare your ingredients: slice your shiitake mushrooms, mince the garlic, and chop the green onions, separating the white and green parts.
- In a bowl, mix the day-old rice with the egg yolk to give the rice a golden-brown colour. Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl and set aside.
- In a wok or large frying pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil and saute the mushrooms. Add the soy sauce and garlic. Cook for around 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are crispy.
- Remove the mushrooms and set aside. In the same pan, stir-fry the garlic and white parts of the green onions for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the rice, chicken bouillon powder, and saute to combine the ingredients. Make a well in the centre and add the whisked egg whites.
- Add the cooked mushrooms, the rest of the green onions, and the toasted sesame oil. Stir well for 2-3 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste.
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One-pot rice cooker meals
Shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that pairs well with rice. They have a strong mushroom taste and smell, making them a great addition to fried rice, pilaf, or one-pot rice cooker meals.
If you're looking for some one-pot rice cooker meal ideas with shiitake mushrooms and rice, here are some suggestions:
One-Pot Mushroom Rice with Spicy Miso Sauce
This recipe is simple, requiring minimal preparation and clean-up. You can use short or long-grain rice and cook it with fresh shiitake mushrooms in a rice cooker. The highlight of this dish is the spicy miso sauce, which adds a perfect balance of savory, spicy, sweet, and umami flavors.
Japanese Mushroom Rice
For this recipe, you can use a rice cooker, stovetop pot, donabe (Japanese clay pot), or Instant Pot. It involves cooking Japanese rice with fresh shiitake, shimeji, and eringi (king oyster) mushrooms, creating a fragrant and umami-rich dish. For a vegan option, use kombu dashi and add dried shiitake mushrooms to the broth.
Mushroom Rice with Bamboo and Basil
This recipe calls for short-grain rice, preferably Japanese sushi rice, as it has a nice sticky and chewy consistency. The rice is cooked with fresh shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, ginger, garlic, shallots, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and olive oil. Soaking the rice in water beforehand helps soften it and ensures it doesn't become mushy.
Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
This Chinese-inspired dish is a versatile way to use up leftover rice, protein, or vegetables. It involves stir-frying shiitake mushrooms with garlic, soy sauce, and green onions, then mixing them with rice, chicken bouillon powder, and egg whites. The high heat ensures a crispy texture, and you can add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli.
Brown Rice and Shiitake Mushroom Pilaf
This vegetarian pilaf combines brown rice with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, garlic, nuts, green onions, lemon zest, and salty grated Parmesan cheese. The savory flavors of the mushrooms and asparagus blend beautifully with the nutty roasted pine nuts and fresh lemon zest.
Shiitake mushrooms also pair well with meat in one-pot rice cooker meals. You can try stewing them in a soy sauce-based broth with root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, browning the meat and aromatics first. Alternatively, create a stir-fry with chicken, pork, onion, ginger, choy sum, carrot, and bean sprouts, adding the shiitake mushrooms for a strong mushroom flavor.
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Brown rice and shiitake mushroom pilaf
Shiitake mushrooms are a great addition to rice-based meals. They have a strong mushroom taste and smell, which can be enhanced when cooked in a soy sauce-based broth.
Now, here is a recipe for a delicious brown rice and shiitake mushroom pilaf. This recipe serves 6 and takes around 45 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients:
- Brown rice
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Pine nuts
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Lemon zest
- Salt and pepper
- Butter or oil
- Grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the rice according to the package directions.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the mushrooms, asparagus, and garlic. Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until tender.
- Add the rice, nuts, green onions, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended and heated thoroughly.
- Serve garnished with additional lemon zest, if desired.
For an added nutty flavor, melt some butter or oil and toast the rice before letting it simmer in liquid. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra salty kick.
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Shiitake mushroom rice with chicken broth
Shiitake mushrooms and rice is a classic combination that works well together. A one-pot chicken and shiitake mushroom rice recipe is a quick and easy dish with loads of flavour. Here is a detailed recipe for the same:
Ingredients
- Chicken fillets
- Rice
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Mirin
- Soy sauce
- Dashi stock
- Spring onions
- Schichimi pepper
Method
- Cut the chicken fillets into bite-sized pieces and marinate them in mirin and soy sauce for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash the rice and set it aside.
- Soak the mushrooms in hot water and slice them when cooled. Keep the soaking liquid.
- Place the washed rice, garlic, ginger, chicken pieces, and mushrooms in a pot.
- Top up the pot with the soaking liquid and dashi stock, ensuring that the rice and chicken are just covered with liquid (about 1 cm above the ingredients).
- If using a rice cooker, turn it on and let it cook normally. If using a pot, bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook until the liquid evaporates, checking frequently but not stirring.
- To serve, dish out into bowls and sprinkle with sliced spring onions and Schichimi pepper.
Variations
This dish can be varied by adding other ingredients such as carrots or other root vegetables, tofu, seaweed, or chestnuts. For a richer dish, add a knob of butter before mixing everything together. Additionally, this recipe can be adapted to make a fried rice dish by sautéing the mushrooms separately and adding them to the rice along with other ingredients such as eggs, sesame oil, and chicken bouillon powder.
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Shiitake mushroom pot roast
Shiitake mushrooms are a great addition to rice-based meals, and they work particularly well in a pot roast. Here is a recipe for a delicious Shiitake Mushroom Pot Roast:
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 to 3 pounds)
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) stout or non-alcoholic beer
- 1/2 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried savory
- 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Method
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Brown the beef roast on all sides, then remove it from the pan.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan, along with the onions and garlic. Cook until tender.
- Pour in the bottle of stout or non-alcoholic beer, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the mushrooms, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried savory.
- Return the roast to the pan, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, water, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15-25 minutes, or until the meat and vegetables are tender.
- For a gravy, skim the fat from the cooking juices and thicken them with a little cornstarch or flour.
Shiitake mushrooms have a strong, pleasant mushroom taste and smell, and they go well with root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, which are included in this pot roast recipe. The mushrooms can also be roasted in the oven as a simple side dish or appetizer, or used in soups, salads, and stir-fries. They are versatile and can be added to many rice-based dishes, including fried rice and pilafs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, shitake mushrooms are a great addition to rice dishes. They have a strong mushroom taste and a meaty texture, which makes them a good source of protein.
You can cook shitake mushrooms and rice together in a rice cooker. Simply add the mushrooms to the rice cooker with some Japanese seasonings, such as stone parsley (mitsuba) and ginger, and cook. Alternatively, you can sauté the mushrooms in butter or oil and then add cooked rice, or make fried rice by stir-frying the mushrooms with vegetables and cooked rice.
Shitake mushrooms and rice can be used in a variety of recipes, including fried rice, pilaf, and risotto. You can also add them to one-pot meals, such as chicken and rice or pot roast with rice. For a vegetarian option, try a brown rice and shitake mushroom pilaf with lentils and nuts.
When cooking shitake mushrooms with rice, it's important to use the right type of oil. Neutral, high-temperature oils such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil are best for fried rice. If using dried shitake mushrooms, soak them in water for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to reconstitute them, and reserve the stock for added flavour.

























