My Simmered Garlic Enoki Mushrooms are a quick and flavorful side dish that blends Japanese-style simmering with a buttery finish for a tasty East-meets-West twist! I crafted this recipe to be easy, budget-friendly, and full of briny, savory flavors that anyone can make at home. Once you try these tender, garlicky mushrooms, you’ll want to make them again and again!
Why I Love This Recipe
I crafted this Simmered Garlic Enoki Mushrooms recipe as a fusion twist on a classic Japanese simmering technique, taking the tender, briny enoki mushrooms often found in Japanese cuisine and finishing them in melted butter for a rich, savory depth. The broth is inspired by my Grilled Garlic Butter Enoki and Enoki Mushroom Pasta, using the same gentle simmering method from my Japanese Simmered Enoki Mushrooms to keep the mushrooms perfectly tender with an al dente-like bite.
It’s a quick 10-minute side dish with a subtle seafood-like flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood mains like my Seared Japanese Salmon or Seared Hamachi. If you love simple, flavorful dishes with a touch of East-meets-West, you’ll want to make this one today!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 7 oz Enoki Mushroom – 1 pack of enoki mushrooms found at Asian grocery stores and selective supermarkets.
- 2 tbsp Butter – unsalted or salted.
- 2 Cloves Garlic – freshly diced garlic.
- 1/8 tsp Salt – sea salt preferred.
- 1/8 tsp Red Pepper – ground or can use flakes.
- 3 tbsp Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine.
- 1/4 Cup Dashi – fish broth made from steeping kombu and bonito flakes with boiling water. Can also use a sprinkle of Hondashi mixed in water for instant dashi.
- 1 Stalk Green Onion – freshly chopped green onions scallions.
🥢 Dashi Pro Tip
For easier preparation of the dashi, use Hondashi mixed with water. This quick tip simplifies the process and ensures a flavorful base for your dish.
Directions
Step 1 Remove the roots from the enoki mushrooms and wash them thoroughly. Break them into smaller, bite-sized bunches.
🍄 Trimming Pro Tip
You can trim 1 inch Off the Bottom of the enoki mushrooms above the roots directly from the plastic packaging and discard the roots and packaging.
Step 2 In a frying pan, combine dashi and Japanese sake, bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, add the enoki mushrooms, chopped garlic, salt, and red pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms reach your desired texture.
Step 3 Remove the cover, add the butter and continue to simmer until melted.
Step 4 Transfer the simmered enoki mushrooms to a plate and top with chopped green onions.
Recipe Variations
For a smoky, outdoor twist, you can turn this into a Grilled Garlic Butter Enoki variation by preparing the mushrooms in a foil packet and placing them directly on the grill, allowing the heat to infuse them with a rich, charred aroma while keeping them tender and buttery.
If you prefer a sweeter, more traditional flavor, my Japanese Simmered Enoki Mushrooms offers a comforting take, simmered in a classic Japanese sweet and savory broth that enhances the mushrooms’ natural briny taste.
Pairing Recommendations
Since enoki naturally carries a briny, seafood-like flavor, it pairs beautifully with light and savory seafood dishes. Try serving it alongside my Steamed Manila Clams or Japanese Style Steamed Clams for a complementary, ocean-inspired spread.
For a heartier option, Japanese Clam Pasta makes an excellent main, and adding a comforting bowl of Enoki Miso Soup on the side creates a full flavor-packed meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe without Japanese sake?
Yes, you can replace it with dry white wine or extra dashi for a non-alcoholic version.
How do I know when the enoki mushrooms are cooked?
They should be tender but still slightly firm, usually within 3–5 minutes of simmering.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare it a few hours in advance and reheat gently before serving.
Storage Tips
To store leftover, simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Bacon Wrapped Enoki Mushrooms
- Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms
- Butter Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
- Simmered Japanese Kabocha
Watch How To Make It
Simmered Garlic Enoki Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 7 oz Enoki Mushroom
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 Cloves Garlic chopped
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Red Pepper ground
- 3 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 1/4 Cup Dashi
- 1 Stalk Green Onion chopped
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Remove the roots from the enoki mushrooms and wash them thoroughly. Break them into smaller, bite-sized bunches.
- In a frying pan, combine dashi and Japanese sake, bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, add the enoki mushrooms, chopped garlic, salt, and red pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms reach your desired texture.
- Remove the cover, add the butter and continue to simmer until melted.
- Transfer the simmered enoki mushrooms to a plate and top with chopped green onions.
Nutrition
*Values Based Per Serving
