Crispy Fried Enoki Mushrooms with Spicy Dipping Sauces Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Fried Enoki Mushrooms, featuring a light and spicy batter made with all-purpose flour, potato starch, and a blend of bold seasonings. Perfectly deep-fried until golden and crunchy, these mushrooms make an irresistible appetizer or snack. Served with garnishes like furikake and sauces such as sweet chili and sriracha mayo for a delicious, umami-packed bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Ingredients
Enoki Mushrooms
- 1 lb enoki mushrooms
Batter
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (55 g) potato starch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon five spice powder
- ¾ cup cold sparkling water (or more, depending on consistency)
Cooking Oil
- Neutral oil for deep frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)
Garnish and Sauces
- Salt
- Furikake
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha mayo
Instructions
- Prepare the Mushrooms: Trim the root ends of the enoki mushrooms and separate them into smaller clusters. Pat them dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispier result during frying.
- Make the Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, potato starch, baking powder, salt, white pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and five spice powder. Slowly add the cold sparkling water while whisking until you get a smooth batter with a consistency slightly thicker than pancake batter. Add more water if needed to adjust.
- Heat the Oil: Pour neutral oil into a deep frying pan or pot, filling it about 2-3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature for deep frying.
- Coat the Mushrooms: Dip the prepared enoki mushroom clusters into the batter, making sure they are fully coated but not overly saturated. Allow excess batter to drip off before frying.
- Deep Fry: Carefully place the battered mushrooms into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to turn them gently as needed for even cooking.
- Drain and Season: Remove the fried mushrooms from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. While still hot, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and furikake for added flavor and crunch.
- Serve: Arrange the fried enoki mushrooms on a serving dish. Serve immediately with sweet chili sauce and sriracha mayo on the side for dipping to enhance the taste.
Notes
- Use cold sparkling water in the batter to help make it light and crispy.
- Maintain the oil temperature between 340°F and 360°F for best frying results.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to prevent oil temperature from dropping and the mushrooms becoming soggy.
- You can customize the seasoning in the batter according to your preferred spice level.
- Furikake is a Japanese seasoning mix that adds umami; it can be found in Asian grocery stores or substituted with sesame seeds and seaweed flakes.
