Spicy enoki mushrooms are the perfect snack for when you’re feeling something with a spicy kick! Pair this with other dishes or enjoy on its own, this will for sure satisfy any spice cravings.

Have you ever come across one of those ASMR mukbang channels where they eat the most craziest things? One of the very first mukbang videos I’ve ever watched was this one person eating a whole PLATTER of these spicy enoki mushrooms.

I think what drew me to actually watch it was, one, I love watching ASMR mukbangs while I eat (don’t judge me) and two, the bright red color of the mushrooms looked incredible (which looked super spicy but also so tempting at the same time!).

After watching it, I knew I just had to recreate it for myself and it was everything I imagined it to be! The enoki mushrooms are perfectly soft and chewy, and they were able to absorb all of that delicious red pepper sauce.

Give these a try if you’re wanting something spicy to add to your weeknight meal rotation!

Craving for more quick and easy recipes? Here’s a couple more to add to your list:

What are enoki mushrooms?

Enoki mushrooms are thin, stringy mushrooms with small caps that are used primarily in East Asia and other Asian cuisines. They’re my absolute favorite variety mushrooms because they somewhat remind me of noodles: thin, chewy, and super stringy when softened.

The best part? They can also be fried into crispy enoki mushrooms! Because they’re so thin, the final product is incredibly light and crisp and they’re super delicious when dipped into a sauce…

But anyways, back to the main point. Today we’re making these spicy enoki mushrooms that’s gently simmered in a spicy, bright red, pepper sauce. As with any other mushroom, these enoki absorb some serious flavor!

Ingredients for spicy enoki mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms: you should be able to find these in most groceries, though Asian markets are more likely to carry them.
Gochugaru: these are ground Korean chili flakes. They’ll usually come in either “coarse” or “fine” ground, and you can use either for this recipe.
Gochujang: another Korean staple, this is a savory, umami, slightly sweet, fermented chili paste. I always stock up on these since they can go well with so many other dishes.
Sugar, corn syrup: these will add a slight sweetness to our pepper sauce that will taste amazing with the mushrooms. Corn syrup helps to add a glossiness to the sauce, but feel free to leave it out if you aren’t able to find it.
Soy sauce: we’re only going to be using a splash of soy sauce, just enough to lend a bit of savoriness and saltiness to the enoki.
Sesame oil: nutty, toasty, and aromatic. It compliments perfectly with the rest of this dish!

Instructions for spicy enoki mushrooms

Prepare the enoki mushrooms by trimming off the root section and gently rinsing them under cold water to remove any debris. Slice the mushrooms into thin sections, then set aside.

Prepare the spicy sauce by combining all the ingredients together in a bowl. Mix until smooth.

In an oiled pan over medium heat, sear the enoki mushrooms on both sides until lightly golden. Pour in the spicy sauce and let simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

Top with green onions, chili, and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Adjust the spiciness to your taste!

As with most recipes, always adjust according to taste. I’d say my spice tolerance is pretty moderate, but feel free to alter the amount of gochujang or gochugaru to your preference!

But if you’re feeling even more spice…Then you have a couple more options:

Buldak sauce: other spicy enoki mushroom recipes will often call for this sauce, which is essentially a spicy Korean condiment that can be added to pretty much anything (I usually mix it into my noodles or even drizzle it on top of pizza). They do have varieties with different spice levels and flavors, so be sure to purchase the one you think you’d enjoy the most.
Capsaicin powder: this is another Korean chili powder, but it’s extremely spicy. A little goes a long way with this stuff, so start with less and work your way up to your desired spice level. This mixes perfectly with sauces and soups, so it’s a great addition to your pantry if you’re a fan of spicy food.
Chili peppers: any kind will do; Thai chilli, Jalapeño, or Habanero would work great. You can add them directly into the sauce to help them release their oils, or simply use as a garnish!