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Home-Style Dishes

Braised Fish-Paste Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms (Niang Dong Gu)

a light, savory everyday dish using fresh mushrooms and fish paste

By · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Total
35 min
Makes
2–3 servings
Everyday Balance
Braised Fish-Paste Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms (Niang Dong Gu)

Why people make this dish

Nourilo enjoys cooking with fish paste (yu hua / dace paste) — it can be stuffed into green peppers, aubergine, tofu, or as here, fresh shiitake mushrooms. When he found a vendor at the market selling fish paste made from a type of carp (wu tou yu / mudfish), he bought some to try in this classic preparation: mushrooms are dusted with cornstarch on the inside, stuffed with the fish paste, pan-fried until golden on the bottom, then finished in a simple sauce. The result is tender mushrooms with a fragrant, savoury fish filling — a very easy dish that tastes far more refined than the effort involved.

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Frequently asked questions

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe yields 2 to 3 servings, using 8 to 10 fresh shiitake mushroom caps stuffed with 112 g of fish paste.

Why dust the inside of the mushroom caps with cornstarch before adding the fish paste?

A light dusting of cornstarch on the hollow inside of each mushroom cap helps the fish paste stick firmly so it does not fall off during pan-frying.

Can I use dried shiitake mushrooms instead of fresh?

Yes. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them until fully softened and then steam them briefly with a little oil and sugar before stuffing, which gives a more fragrant and silky texture than soaking alone.

What can I use if fish paste is not available?

If fish paste is not available at your local fishmonger, a good-quality store-bought fish ball paste or minced fish with seasoning makes a decent substitute.

How long does this dish take to prepare and cook?

Preparation takes about 20 minutes and cooking takes approximately 15 minutes, for a total of around 35 minutes from start to finish.

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