Ingredient
Saesongi-beoseot (king oyster mushroom)
새송이버섯
Romanization: saesongi-beoseot
A thick, ivory-stemmed mushroom with a small brown cap, firm enough to slice into coins or planks. Meaty and mild, it is grilled with samgyeopsal, braised, stir-fried and pan-fried across Korean home cooking.
Flavor
Mild and gently savory, becoming nutty and browned when seared. The stem has a firm, springy, almost scallop-like chew that stays intact through braising and grilling.
Photo: Holger Krisp, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsOrigin & History
Saesongi-beoseot is the king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), a cousin of the ordinary oyster mushroom. Its formal Korean name, used in the Korean Food Composition Table, is keun-neutari-beoseot, "big oyster mushroom"; saesongi ("new songi") is the trade name that caught on, an evocation of the prized pine mushroom it loosely resembles in shape and bite.
It is a recent arrival. According to Gyeongsangnam-do's agricultural research and extension services, the king oyster was first introduced to Korea in the late 1990s, and the saesongi name was coined by that same institute. Grown indoors in bottles of sawdust-based medium, it spread quickly into everyday use; Korean press reports domestic production of about 53,000 tonnes in 2023, with Gyeongsangnam-do supplying roughly 28 percent.
Because the stem is dense and holds its shape, saesongi is cut into thick rounds, planks or batons rather than torn. It is grilled beside pork belly at samgyeopsal tables, simmered in soy-based jorim, stir-fried with other vegetables, coated in egg for jeon, and added to japchae, soups and hot pots.
Nutrition
| Calories | 20 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2.91 g |
| Fat | 0.19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.56 g |
| Fiber | 3.2 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Notable forNiacin · Dietary fiber · Folate · Potassium
Korean Food Composition Table entry "King oyster mushroom (Keunneutari-beoseot), Raw" (큰느타리버섯(새송이버섯), 생것): also 5.261 mg niacin, 0.222 mg riboflavin, 50 µg folate and 299 mg potassium per 100 g. Actual values vary with ingredients, portion size and preparation.
Health Benefits
- Meaty but light: Per the Korean Food Composition Table, king oyster mushrooms are low in calories and fat while supplying fiber, niacin, folate and potassium.
- Plant-based swap: Their firm, chewy texture makes them a satisfying stand-in for meat in grilled and braised dishes.
- Watch the sauce: Saesongi absorbs seasoning readily, so soy-braised and buttery stir-fried versions can carry more sodium and fat than the mushroom itself.
- Cook and store with care: Eat it cooked, keep it refrigerated and discard any that turn slimy.
Informational, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your own health and diet.
Dishes with Saesongi-beoseot (king oyster mushroom)
Dish guides featuring saesongi-beoseot (king oyster mushroom) are coming soon.