Oyster mushrooms are beloved for both their delicate texture and flavor. While they can technically be eaten raw, cooking the mushrooms brings out the best of their nutty taste. When cooked, oyster mushrooms are somewhat reminiscent of seafood. Their pleasant mild taste makes oysters one of the most versatile mushrooms for cooking.
These mushrooms generally grow in clusters of eccentrically stemmed, scallop shaped caps, but they can also grow individually. Oyster mushrooms are eaten in a variety of cuisines, but they are especially popular in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking. One appeal of oyster mushrooms is their quick prep time; they can be used whole, torn, or chopped.
