Shimeji

Other Names

Beech, elm oyster, mountain echo mushroom

Latin Name

Hypsizygus tessellatus

Usually Found In

Asia, Europe, North America, Australia

Season

Autumn, but available all year

Shimeji is a small, firm white or brown mushroom with a both crunchy and chewy texture and somewhat of a cult following in Asia. So perfectly formed they almost look cartoon-like, shimeji comes in both white, otherwise known as bunapi-shimeji, or brown (known as buna-shimeji), and it is grown under brand names throughout Asia. Firm and fragrant, these mushrooms are also called brown shimeji and white shimeji, and in Japan, they are generally believed to be the tastiest mushrooms you can get. The white shimeji is brilliant white with perfectly formed caps the size of the tip of your thumb, whereas the brown shimeji has identical white stems but with light brown caps featuring a darker brown almost dried marble effect.