shiitake

This term refers specifically to a variety of mushroom prized for its rich, smoky, and umami-heavy flavor profile. In culinary contexts, it is frequently distinguished between fresh and dried forms, as the drying process significantly intensifies the aromatic properties of the fungus.

While used as a common noun in English, the word is borrowed directly from Japanese. It is typically treated as a countable noun when referring to individual mushrooms, though it can function as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the ingredient in general within a recipe.