




Shiitake Mushrooms
Inventory, 5 lbs : 32.22
This item was last sold on : 06/07/23
Food Buzz: History of Mushrooms |
Description/Taste
Shiitake mushrooms are small to medium in size with caps averaging 10-20 centimeters in diameter and are attached to thin stems. The caps range in color from light to dark brown and have a wide, umbrella shape with a characteristic curled rim. Inside, the cream-colored flesh is firm, chewy, and spongy. Underneath the cap, the white gills are tightly arranged, are not attached to the stem, and depending on the maturity, there may also be a thin veil covering the gills. The ivory to light brown stem is smooth, tough, and fibrous. When cooked, Shiitake mushrooms release a garlic-pine aroma and have a savory, earthy, and smoky, umami flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Wild Shiitake mushrooms are available in the spring through early fall, while the cultivated versions are available year-round.
Current Facts
Shiitake mushrooms, botanically classified as Lentinula edodes, are the second most commonly consumed mushroom in the world after the button mushroom and are members of the Marasmiaceae family. Also known as Dongo, Shanku, Black Forest mushroom, Shiang-gu, Oak mushroom, and Black mushroom, Shiitake mushrooms grow in clusters on dead hardwoods including shii, beech, maple, oak, and poplar. In Japan, there are two general types of Shiitake mushrooms including the donko, which is a highly valued mushroom that is more round with thick flesh and the koshin, which is a mushroom with a thinner flesh and an open cap. Donko Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their medicinal value as the cap is only partially open and retains more of the spores. Today Shiitake mushrooms are cultivated worldwide and are valued for their umami flavor and chewy, dense texture.
Nutritional Value
Shiitake mushrooms contain vitamins A, B2, B12, C, and D, iron, calcium, copper, selenium, zinc, and manganese.
Applications
Shiitake mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as frying, sautéing, boiling, steaming, and grilling. Although Shiitake mushrooms are a cultivated variety, their umami, earthy flavor and texture lend itself to be a substitute in recipes calling for wild mushrooms. They can be sliced and used in stir-fries, miso soup, vegetarian dashi, stuffed and steamed, cooked in omelets, mixed into pasta, or fried. They can also be dried and rehydrated for extended use or dried and ground into a powder as a flavoring agent for soups, stocks, and sauces. Shiitake mushrooms pair well with marjoram, thyme, cilantro, spinach, mustard greens, eggplant, broccoli, peas, ramps, carrots, bell pepper, baby corn, water chestnuts, potatoes, onion, green onion, garlic, ginger, poultry, pork, lamb, shrimp, rice, barley, pasta, soy sauce, and dry red wine. They will keep 1-2 weeks when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In China, Shiitake mushrooms have been growing for centuries and were first cultivated by Wu San Kwung during the Sung Dynasty between 960-1127 CE. Known as Shaingug or Hsiang Ku, which means “fragrant mushroom,” the Chinese value this variety for its culinary versatility and its medicinal properties. In traditional medicine, Shiitake mushrooms are believed to help reduce symptoms of the common cold, increase energy, and ward off hunger.
Geography/History
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia, specifically China and Japan, and have been growing wild since prehistoric times. These mushrooms are predominately cultivated today rather than being found in the wild and are produced in China. The United States also cultivates the popular mushroom as it does not grow wild there, but the first Shiitake production in the United States did not occur until a ban on importing live Shiitake cultures was lifted in 1972. Today Shiitake mushrooms are widely found at supermarkets, online stores, farmers markets, and specialty grocers in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Busy Bee Cook For Me | San Diego CA | 858-405-5372 |
Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Now Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-246-6179 |
Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
James Coffee Co. Escondido | Escondido CA | 619-961-5805 |
Et Voilà! French Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-610-8784 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Shiitake Mushrooms. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Shiitake Mushrooms using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About 12 days ago, 5/27/23 Sharer's comments : Rodney Kawano Farms ![]() ![]()
Airba Fresh Market
California, United States6WC3+GVW, ул. Тимирязева, Алматы 050060, Казахстан About 27 days ago, 5/12/23 Sharer's comments : Shiitake mushrooms of Netherlands ![]() About 102 days ago, 2/26/23 Sharer's comments : Mountain Meadow Mushroom 🍄 ![]() About 187 days ago, 12/02/22 Sharer's comments : Shiitake mushroom ![]() ![]()
Mindful Mushrooms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 313 days ago, 7/30/22 ![]() ![]()
Natoora
Near London, England, United Kingdom135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD, United Kingdom 4402072370346 About 331 days ago, 7/12/22 ![]() ![]()
MEIDI-YA Supermarket World
Near Singapore, Singapore#B2-111 to #B2-121, 1 Kim Seng Rd, Singapore 237994 Singapore 67711111 About 357 days ago, 6/15/22 ![]() ![]()
Rodney Kawano Farms
Near Poway, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 418 days ago, 4/16/22 ![]() ![]()
Rodney Kawano Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 438 days ago, 3/27/22 ![]() ![]()
Mindful Mushrooms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 467 days ago, 2/26/22 ![]() ![]()
Meidi-Ya supermarket
Near Marina Ctr Ter, Singapore9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-26 to 36, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596 656-339-1111 https://meidi-ya.com.sg About 474 days ago, 2/19/22 ![]() ![]() About 536 days ago, 12/19/21 ![]() ![]()
Allen Farms
Near Hyannis, Massachusetts, United StatesWestport, MA About 692 days ago, 7/16/21 Sharer's comments : These local mushrooms add a subtle earthy-smoky flavor. |