My braised bamboo shoots with mushrooms uses oyster sauce, soy sauce, ginger and Shaoxing wine to create a side dish that is just as satisfying as a main dish. If you happen to find fresh whole bamboo shoots at your Asian market, this is a dish you can’t miss.
Add the dried shiitake mushrooms to a medium bowl and warm water to cover. Soak for 15 minutes or so, until turning tender. Reserve 1/2 cup mushroom soaking water. Drain, squeeze out water and pat dry. Remove the stem and slice in half.
(Optional) If using a fresh bamboo shoot, remove the tough outer layers by slicing across the shoot once lengthwise so it’s easier to peel, then cut off about 1” from the tip. Peel off and discard the tough outer skins. Then use a pairing knife to shave off any uneven layers, so the surface is more even and smooth. Cut into bite-size pieces. (See my blog post above for the step-by-step cutting pictures.) Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Add salt and bamboo shoot. Cook for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry. (*Footnote 3)
Mix the oyster sauce, light soy sauce and sugar together in a small bowl.
Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the ginger and shiitake mushrooms. Cook and stir for 30 seconds, until lightly charred.
Add the bamboo shoots. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes, until the bamboo is lightly charred.
Pour in the Shaoxing wine to deglaze. Then pour in the reserved mushroom soaking water and the mixed sauce. Cover and braise for 3 to 4 minutes. Then uncover and keep cooking to reduce the sauce, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Once the sauce has thickened enough to coat the ingredients, turn off the heat and transfer everything to a plate. Serve hot.
Notes
You can find boiled whole bamboo shoots at Chinese and Japanese markets. It’s often sold in vacuum packed packages in the refrigerated section. Occasionally you might see fresh bamboo shoots in Chinatown when they’re in season. Definitely give it a try using this recipe, to enjoy the special texture of the fresh bamboo shoot.
This recipe calls for a bit more oil than your regular stir fries, because both the bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms soak up oil when cooking. By using a bit more oil, the ingredients char nicely and will have a nice mouthfeel. The sauce also emulsifies nicer and has a silky texture. If you don’t use enough oil, the dish will turn out a little dry.
If using fresh bamboo shoots, you’ll need to boil them to get rid of the unpleasant taste (bitter or astringent) and a scratchy or irritating mouthfeel. You don’t need to do this step if purchasing whole bamboo shoots in a package, which are already boiled and the bamboo is packed in water.
This dish is gluten-free adaptable: use dry sherry to replace Shaoxing wine, use tamari instead of soy sauce, and use a gluten-free oyster sauce.
This dish is vegetarian / vegan adaptable: use a vegetarian oyster sauce to replace the regular type.