Types of Asian Mushroom

The world is filled with fungi. In fact, some experts suggest that there are as many as six million different species of fungi in the world, many of which produce mushrooms. As for species we’re sure of, the National Park Service claims that over 14,000 species of mushroom-producing fungi have been discovered and described by mycologists. Of these species, there are over 2,000 species of edible mushrooms. Today, we’ll be looking at mushrooms in Asia – both edible and poisonous. Asia is comprised of 48 different countries, including China, Japan, Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam, and India. We could not possibly list all of the different species of mushrooms that grow across Asia, but we’re going to share a few of them here. Without further ado, here are 12 types of Asian mushrooms.

A Note on the Edibility of Mushrooms

Before we begin, it is imperative to note that this article should be used as a general guide and not as an authority on edible mushrooms. There are a number of great resources for determining edibility in mushrooms, and we recommend you check out expert guides specific to your region when identifying mushrooms. It is important to be careful to ensure that the guides you use are written and peer reviewed by experts. The rise of Artificial Intelligence adds unique dangers to the foraging world. A 2023 article by Emma VandenEinde speaks on the dangers of AI-generated foraging books – including the potential for inaccurate and dangerous information.

It is imperative to be sure that the fungi you have found is an edible one. A large number of edible mushrooms have dangerously poisonous look-alikes. Follow this general rule of thumb: if you are not completely sure that the mushroom you have found is edible, do not eat it. Now that we have disclaimers out of the way, let’s take a look at a few different types of Asian mushrooms. You can scroll to the bottom of this article for a comprehensive table of all of the mushrooms we list here.

1. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most popular edible mushrooms in Asia. It makes its home on the decaying wood of deciduous trees, including ironwood, mulberry, poplar, shii, and oak. It grows in groups or clusters. Shiitake is native to East Asia, but it is cultivated and consumed all over the world.

2. Enoki (Flammulina filiformis)

Enoki mushrooms are native to China, Korea, and Japan. When cultivated they grow in dense clusters of thin, white mushrooms with small, convex caps. Enoki have several other names, such as “enokitake” and “gold needle mushroom”. It grows on the dead wood of broad-leaved trees.

3. Hiratake (Pleurotus ostreatus)

You might know this mushroom as an oyster mushroom. Hiratake is the Japanese name for the oyster mushroom. This edible mushroom is both wild-growing and cultivated. It prefers to grow on beech trees, but can occur on other varieties of deciduous tree. Oyster mushrooms are saprotrophic – they feed on decaying organic matter rather than parasitizing healthy, living organisms.

4. Buna-Shimeji (Hypsizygus tessellatus)

Buna-shimeji mushrooms, also called brown beech mushrooms or brown clamshell mushrooms, grow mostly on beech trees. They are native to East Asia and are edible. Buna-shimeji mushrooms are most commonly cultivated for consumption, but they are native to Japan – along with Canada and parts of the United States. Bunapi-shimeji also describes this species. The only difference between Buna-shimeji and Bunapi-shimeji is that the former is brown in color and the latter is white.

5. Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

Maitake is an incredible mushroom with an amazing number of nutritional and medicinal qualities. It grows prodigiously in several regions of the world, and is celebrated across several Asian countries. It is native to Japan, China, and Eastern North America. Oak, maple, and elm trees are its most common host. Maitake means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. In China, it is “hui-shu-hua”, which means “grey tree flower”.

6. Nameko (Pholiota microspora)

This slimy-looking mushroom is a nameko mushroom. Nameko mushrooms are a very common mushroom in Japan – popular both wild-grown and in mushroom cultivation kits. Nameko mushrooms are native to Japan, but cultivation kits are very popular in China and Russia. This nutty mushroom grows on a variety of deciduous tree, including beech, oak, poplar, willow, and cherry. Nameko mushrooms are very popular in a variety of dishes, but especially in miso soup.

7. Straw Mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea)

Straw mushrooms are incredibly popular world-wide. They grow across Southeast Asia, and get their name from the beds of rice straw they pop out of. They have a pink spore print, despite their off-white color. These nutrient-dense mushrooms are normally harvested and eaten or processed before they mature. They do grow in North America, but due to them looking like seriously toxic mushrooms, they are not recommended to be foraged. If you want to sample these popular mushrooms, check out your local Asian market. They may sell canned or dried straw mushrooms there.

8. Matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake)

Matsutake mushrooms are a choice edible mushroom that grow in Japan, China and Korea. Some similar species grow in parts of North America, British Columbia, and northern Europe. Matsutake mushrooms are prized in Asian cultures. They now struggle to grow in many of these habitats though. These mushrooms require a very distinct climate, terrain and symbiotic trees in order to grow. Matsutake honors its name – “matsu” means “pine tree” in Japanese, while “take” means “mushroom” – and grows in dense coniferous forests. Japan was the largest producer of this mushroom for a time. Unfortunately, suitable habitats for this mushroom are dwindling in Japan today.

9. Kikurage (Auricularia heimuer)

Kikurage – or black wood ear – is a very popular cultivated fungi in China. This wood-rotting species favors oak trees and grows naturally in northern China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Russia. Kikurage is a traditional food and medicine in China, with cultivation history dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Many Asian countries use it for food and medicine. Kikurage is sold in dried and shredded form worldwide. Common applications include ramen and other similar dishes.

10. Eringi/Eryngii (Pleurotus eryngii)

We return to oyster mushrooms now to look at the king oyster mushroom – or the eringi mushroom. This beautiful oyster species grows across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. It is one of the larger mushrooms in the genus. It is commonly used in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine. The Eryngii mushroom has many names – such as “king trumpet” and “French horn mushroom” – and many uses. It grows on hardwood trees, as well as on grains and straw.

What About Poisonous Asian Mushroom Types?

Edible mushrooms are not the only fungi growing in Asian countries. In fact, Asia is home to some of the deadliest mushrooms in the world. Let’s take a look as some of the poisonous mushrooms that grow across Asia. Some of these mushrooms closely resemble edible mushrooms on our list. For this reason, we continue to advise that you do not consume any mushroom unless you are absolutely positive it is edible.

11. East Asian Death Cap (Amanita subjunquillea)

The genus Amanita has a lot of beautiful mushrooms, but some of them are extremely toxic. Several of the 1400 or so species of Amanita grow in Asia. Interestingly, not all of these mushroom species are poisonous or lethal. In Thailand, there are 19 different edible Amanita species, including A. rubromarginata and A. subhemibapha. However, we are not examining edible Amanitas now. The east Asian death cap grows in East and Southeast Asia. The east Asian brown death cap (Amanita fuliginea) is equally dangerous.

12. Kaentake (Podostroma cornu-damae)

Kaentake, or poison fire coral, is, perhaps, one of the most dangerous mushrooms in the world. Don’t worry – it’s rare. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. In fact, this deadly coral mushroom has killed several people in Japan and Korea. Even skin contact with kaentake may result in irritation and rash. When consumed, this toxic fungi can cause multiple organ failure. Ingesting this mushroom leads to low blood pressure, peeling skill, hair loss, liver necrosis, acute kidney failure, and can even lead to death.

Summary

We’ve covered 10 popular edible mushrooms and two very poisonous ones in this article. Obviously, this is just the top of the stalk. There are thousands of mushroom varieties in Asia, and we haven’t even discovered and named all of them. We’ll finish up by putting this information into a helpful table.

Mushrooms, Other Names, Edibility and Habitat

The information presented on or through the Website is made available solely for general informational purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to the Website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. None of the statements or claims on the Website should be taken as medical advice, health advice, or as confirmation that a plant, fungus, or other item is safe for consumption or will provide any health benefits. Anyone considering the health benefits of particular plant, fungus, or other item should first consult with a doctor or other medical professional. The statements made within this Website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.