The key to this king oyster mushroom salad recipe is slicing the mushrooms as thinly as possible, then steaming them for just 2 minutes to keep their pleasantly chewy texture and delicate mushroom aroma.
Instead of blanching the mushrooms in water, they are gently cooked with steam and then tossed with 1 tbsp soup soy sauce, a pinch of seasoned salt, 1/3 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsp perilla seed powder, 2 tbsp perilla oil, and 1 tbsp sesame seeds. The thin slices absorb the seasoning evenly while retaining enough moisture to stay tender without becoming soggy.
Ready in about 10 minutes, this simple Korean mushroom side dish works well for an everyday meal or as a light accompaniment to grilled meat.
⏱️ Cooking Time: About 10 minutes
🍳 Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
✓ Ingredients
🥣 Main Ingredient
- 400 g (14.1 oz) king oyster mushrooms
🧂 Seasonings
- 1 tbsp soup soy sauce
- 1 pinch seasoned salt
- 1/3 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp perilla seed powder
- 2 tbsp perilla oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
(Measurement guide: 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml, 1 Korean paper cup = 180 ml / 6.1 fl oz)
✓ How to Make King Oyster Mushroom Salad
- Trim the mushrooms: Cut off any dirty or dry ends from the base of the king oyster mushrooms with a knife.
- Halve and slice thinly: Cut each mushroom in half lengthwise. Place the cut side flat on a cutting board and slice as thinly as possible. Thick slices will not develop the same tender, chewy texture or absorb the seasoning as evenly.
- Steam for 2 minutes: Arrange the sliced mushrooms evenly in a steamer without piling them too heavily on top of one another. Once the water in the pot comes to a full boil, place the steamer over it, cover, and steam for exactly 2 minutes. Steaming instead of blanching helps preserve the mushrooms’ natural aroma.
- Season and toss: Transfer the steamed mushrooms to a bowl. Add 1 tbsp soup soy sauce, 1 pinch seasoned salt, 1/3 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsp perilla seed powder, 2 tbsp perilla oil, and 1 tbsp sesame seeds. Gently toss until the mushrooms are evenly coated.
✓ Key Tips for Success
- Slice thinly and steam instead of blanching: If king oyster mushrooms are sliced too thickly or boiled directly in water, they can lose some of their natural aroma and become watery. Cut them in half lengthwise, slice them as thinly as possible, and steam them over boiling water to preserve their delicate flavor and pleasantly chewy texture.
✓ Serving Tips
- This mushroom salad is delicious while still slightly warm, but you can also store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and serve it chilled. Cooling the thinly steamed mushrooms makes their chewy texture even more noticeable.
- Spoon a generous amount over warm rice and add a little soy-based seasoning sauce or gochujang for a simple bibimbap-style meal.
- Serve it alongside grilled beef or samgyeopsal (Korean grilled pork belly). The light, nutty mushroom seasoning pairs especially well with rich grilled meats.
✓ How to Choose Good King Oyster Mushrooms
- Firm stems with an ivory color: Choose mushrooms with firm, springy stems that are creamy white or ivory in color. Fresh mushrooms should feel dense rather than soft when gently pressed.
- Rounded, compact caps: Look for caps that are not overly spread out. They should have a rounded shape, light brown color, and no visible cracks or discoloration.
✓ King Oyster Mushroom Nutrition per 100 g (3.5 oz)
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 g (3.5 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 20.00 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6.56 g |
| Protein | 2.91 g |
| Fat | 0.19 g |
| Sodium | 5.00 mg |
Based on raw king oyster mushrooms per 100 g. Actual nutritional values may vary depending on variety, product, and cooking method.
Source: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Food Nutrition Database
✓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why should I steam king oyster mushrooms instead of blanching them in water?
Blanching the mushrooms directly in boiling water can wash away some of their natural aroma. Steaming them for 2 minutes helps retain moisture while preserving their subtle mushroom flavor and chewy texture.
Q2. Why should king oyster mushrooms be sliced very thinly?
If the slices are too thick, the heat may not penetrate them evenly during the short 2-minute steaming time, leaving them firmer and making it harder for the seasoning to coat them evenly. Thin slices become tender yet pleasantly chewy and absorb the seasoning more effectively.
Q3. Can I use sesame oil and sesame seeds instead of perilla seed powder and perilla oil?
Yes. Sesame oil and sesame seeds will give the mushrooms a clean, nutty flavor. However, perilla seed powder and perilla oil provide a deeper, more distinctive nutty aroma that pairs especially well with the delicate flavor of steamed king oyster mushrooms.
When the king oyster mushrooms are sliced as thinly as possible and steamed for only 2 minutes, they stay moist without becoming soft or soggy and retain a pleasantly chewy texture. Because they are steamed rather than boiled in water, their subtle mushroom aroma remains intact, while the perilla seed powder and perilla oil add a rich, nutty flavor.
Soup soy sauce and a small pinch of seasoned salt add enough savory depth without overpowering the mushrooms. This side dish pairs easily with warm rice or grilled meats and works well as part of a simple family meal. As long as you keep the steaming time to 2 minutes and slice the mushrooms very thinly, you can make a chewy, nutty king oyster mushroom salad with very little effort.
If you are looking for a quick Korean side dish or a simple mushroom recipe with the nutty aroma of perilla, this is an easy one to add to your meal.
Save or bookmark this recipe so you can find it again later, and share it with someone who enjoys Korean food.
More easy-to-follow recipes and practical cooking tips will be added regularly. If there is a dish you would like to see next, feel free to leave a comment. 😊