Bok Choy Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry

This Bok Choy Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry is an easy veggie side dish that's also incredibly flavorful! Garlic and shiitake mushrooms add a deep umami flavor that pairs perfectly with tender, vibrant bok choy.

Jump to:

• What is Bok Choy?
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• How to cook Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms (Step by Step)
• Storage & Reheating
• FAQ
• Bok Choy Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Asian Recipes with Shiitake Mushrooms
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What is Bok Choy?

Bok choy (aka pak choi or pok choi) is a type of Chinese cabbage but unlike regular cabbages, they do not form heads and have leafy greens with bulbs at the bottoms.

Some describe the flavor as somewhere between spinach and water chestnuts with a slight hint of sweet and peppery undertone.

Shiitake Mushrooms

One of my favorite mushrooms to use in Asian recipes! Shiitake originates from China and Japan, and is super flavorful. They're more dense, similar to portobello mushrooms, and have an earthy, almost smokey flavor compared to the other mushrooms.

I commonly use dried shiitake mushrooms in soups to add a delicious flavor to the broth, but you can also use fresh shiitake mushrooms for stir frying or any other dishes.

Dried Shiitake Mushrooms

For this recipe, I use dried shiitake mushrooms. They pack more umami compared to fresh mushrooms (think sun-dried tomatoes vs. fresh tomatoes).

• Dried mushrooms need to be soaked before cooking - the soaking liquid adds incredible flavor, so don't throw it away!
• You can substitute fresh shiitake mushrooms if needed, or even use a mix of dried and fresh.
• Look for dried shiitake in your local Asian grocery store, or sometimes in Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Publix, or Kroger. They're also available online.

How to cook Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushrooms (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil of choice
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 pound bok choy (about 3 medium bunches or 6-8 baby bok choy)
• 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and cut into bite-sized pieces (*see notes)
• ½ cup reserved mushroom soaking water
• Salt, to taste

Cut off the very end of your bok choy with a knife and discard.

Now, bok choys can vary in size, so you may cut the bok choys a little differently depending on the bunches you got. But our goal here is to separate the whites from the leafy green parts for the larger bunches. If they're small enough, you can even ignore this step. Cut the white pieces about inch length.

Rinse shiitake mushrooms and soak it in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes or until soft; do not discard the water.

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic and the softened mushrooms. Stir fry for 1 minute.

Then start adding the bok choy - if you separated them, add the white ones first, and then stir fry for about a minute before you add the green leafy bits. If you didn't separate them, you can just throw all of it in.

Stir fry for another 1-2 minutes, then pour in ½ cup mushroom soaking water. Cook until bok choy is tender and vibrant green.

Season with salt, remove from heat, and serve hot.

Storage & Reheating

• Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
• Reheat: Stir fry quickly in a hot pan or microwave with a splash of water to bring back moisture.

FAQ

Can I use fresh shiitake mushrooms instead?
Yes! They'll be milder in flavor. Just slice and add them with the garlic.

Do I need to separate bok choy stalks and leaves?
If using large bok choy, yes - the stalks take longer to cook. For baby bok choy, you can leave them whole.

Can I substitute other mushrooms?
Yes! Oyster, cremini, or button mushrooms work, though the flavor won't be as the same as shiitake.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep by soaking mushrooms and chopping bok choy earlier in the day.

More Delicious Asian Recipes with Shiitake Mushrooms

• Make it a meal by making this Chicken Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry! The chicken is juicy and tender and the shiitake mushrooms suck up all the delicious sauce and is so flavorful!
• If you want to try a delicious and easy veggie side dish, check out this Shiitake Mushrooms Napa Cabbage Stir Fry!
• For a tasty crisp to your dish, try this Snap Peas Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry - the snap peas add a refreshing sweetness and crunch.
• Another idea that is super tasty - this Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry with Peppers! The shiitake mushrooms soak up the tasty oyster sauce in this one!

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