The etiquette rules on how to serve and eat enoki mushrooms. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest.

how to serve and eat enoki mushrooms

What enoki mushroom etiquette is

Enoki mushroom etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat enoki mushrooms. Such rules help avoid behaviors that disrespect your hosts or guests or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow the etiquette to serve enoki mushrooms to your guests appropriately.

As a guest, respect the etiquette rules to properly eat enoki mushrooms at the dining table and avoid offending your hosts.

What you should know about enoki mushrooms

The enoki is an edible mushroom. It is one of the most common mushrooms in Asian and Japanese cuisines.

Enoki mushrooms grow in clusters. They have long and thin stems and small caps. Their color ranges from white and pale yellow to ochre. Enoki mushrooms are delicate and earthy in flavor and pleasantly chewy in texture.

Etiquette rules to serve and eat enoki mushrooms

1) How to store enoki mushrooms

It is best to eat fresh enoki on the same day you buy them or within a few days.

Store enoki mushrooms in the fridge. Humidity risks spoiling their flavor and texture. Thus, it is best to keep the mushrooms in a paper or plastic bag and wrapped in paper towels, which help absorb the humidity. In the fridge, enoki mushrooms can last up to a week.

It is possible to freeze fresh enoki mushrooms. It is best to freeze them cooked. Boil them for about 5 minutes before freezing them. In the freezer, enoki mushrooms usually last up to 6 months. However, after a couple of months in the freezer, their taste and texture can significantly deteriorate.

2) How to clean enoki mushrooms

To clean enoki mushrooms, wash them in cold running water for about one minute. Gently remove any dirt. Finally, place them on a towel or on kitchen paper to dry.

Do not soak enoki, as water risks spoiling the flavor and making the texture spongy. Do not peel the mushrooms before or after washing.

3) How to cook enoki mushrooms

Due to food safety concerns, it is best to cook enoki. Avoid eating enoki mushrooms raw, unless you buy them from a reputable vendor who has washed them thoroughly and professionally.

You can cook enoki mushrooms in various methods. Boil, sautée, fry, or deep-fry. They are ideal for soups and salads.

Mushrooms are among the most disliked foods. Thus, before cooking and serving enoki mushrooms to your guests, it is considerate to ask whether some guests cannot eat them.

4) How to serve & present enoki mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms are appropriate for formal and informal meals.

You can serve enoki mushrooms as a side dish or complement. Serve them warm or at room temperature. Present them whole, in a serving shallow bowl. Provide a serving spoon.

5) Food and wine to pair enoki mushrooms with

Enoki mushrooms go well with butter, soy sauce, and garlic. They are perfect for soup and salads.

You can match enoki mushrooms with eggs or meat, such as beef, pork, and chicken. They can go well with some fish or seafood, such as tuna. The best vegetables to combine enoki with are potatoes, broccoli, onions, leeks, beans, and spinach. In general, enoki mushrooms do not combine well with cheese and dairy.

The enoki mushroom pairs best with light white wine. Such as Riesling, unoaked Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. You can pair them with light-bodied red wine too. Such as Beaujolais or Chianti.

6) How to eat enoki mushrooms

Eat enoki mushrooms with a fork. Avoid using the knife if possible. When enoki mushrooms are served in a soup, eat them with a spoon.

Every part of the mushroom is edible. Thus, it is not polite to discard enoki. Even if you dislike them, try to make an effort and eat some of them. Discarding all the mushrooms risks embarrassing your host.

Enoki mushroom etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst enoki mushroom etiquette mistakes. 

  • 9/10. Serving spoiled enoki mushrooms.
  • 5/10. Serving enoki in chunks.

Additional information for properly serving enoki

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and plan a menu correctly.

Enoki mushrooms are mostly made of water. They contain about 37 calories per 100 grams (3.5 oz). One enoki mushroom weighs between 3 and 5 grams and contains between 1 and 2 calories.

How to buy the best enoki mushrooms

A crucial factor in enoki mushroom etiquette is serving your guests the best product possible.

Season and availability 

Cultivated enoki mushrooms are available all year round.

Choose the best

Good fresh enoki mushrooms must have an elastic texture. Discard mushrooms that have dark spots or are soft, musky, or sticky.

Alternatives to enoki mushrooms

As a substitute for enoki mushrooms, try other mushrooms such as portobello, cremini, or button.

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