Dried shiitake mushrooms are a very widely used raw material in the kitchen by the Chinese, and its flavor is much stronger than fresh shiitake mushrooms. It is often used to mix stuffing, make soup, or stir fry with vegetables.
Chinese people often describe top delicacies with moutain treasures sea tastes (山珍海味). It means the gluttonous feast uses precious ingredients from the mountains and sea. Dried shiitake mushrooms that have high nutritional value deservedly belong to the mountain treasure. Song Dynasty has recorded it as a tribute.
Where to buy
You can easily pick it in the Asian market or online stores.
How to store
Dried shiitake mushrooms are highly absorbent, so they need to be sealed and stored in a dark, low temperature, and dry place. The best way is not to buy too much, and eat it as soon as possible.
How to prepare
It usually takes about an hour to soak in warm water to allow it to fully expand. Remove the stems of the shiitake mushrooms before cooking.
You can find them in these recipes below:
Chinese Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Chinese Tea Eggs(Cha Ye Dan)
Chinese One Pot Sausage and Rice