キクラゲ

きくらげ
noun
wood ear mushroom
1. wood ear mushroom, cloud ear fungus
A dark, ear-shaped edible fungus with a crunchy, gelatinous texture. Commonly used in stir-fries and ramen.
ラーメンにキクラゲをのせる。
To put wood ear mushrooms on ramen.
キクラゲはコリコリした食感(しょっかん)がいい。
Wood ear mushrooms have a nice crunchy texture.
乾燥(かんそう)キクラゲは(みず)(もど)してから(いた)(もの)使(つか)う。
Dried wood ear mushrooms are rehydrated in water before using in stir-fries.

WRITING:
Usually written in katakana as キクラゲ. The kanji 木耳(きくらげ) (literally "tree ear") exists but is rarely used.

ETYMOLOGY:
The name comes from () (tree) + クラゲ (jellyfish), because the fungus grows on trees and has a jellyfish-like texture.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 乾燥(かんそう)キクラゲ: dried wood ear mushroom
  • キクラゲの(いた)(もの): stir-fried wood ear mushrooms
  • キクラゲ()りラーメン: ramen with wood ear mushrooms