Mushroom Lu Rou (Vegetarian 滷肉飯)
Mushroom Lu Rou (Vegetarian 滷肉飯)
Classic DishBraised Pork Rice
Prep: 15 min • Cook: 40 min. A plant-forward interpretation of Taiwan's beloved lu rou fan, this vegetarian version uses meaty shiitake and king oyster mushrooms braised with light soy, fermented bean curd, caramelized shallots and warm five-spice for deep umami. The mixture is slowly reduced to a glossy, savory sauce and served hot over steamed rice for a comforting, authentic-tasting bowl.
- Preparation time
- 15 min
- Cooking time
- 40 min
- Total time
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
Instructions
- 1Prepare ingredients: slice shiitake and king oyster mushrooms, thinly slice shallots, mince garlic and slice ginger; mash one fermented bean curd into a paste.
- 2Heat vegetable oil in a wide skillet or shallow pot over medium heat; add the sliced shallots and cook, stirring often, until deeply caramelized, about 8–10 minutes.
- 3Add minced garlic and sliced ginger to the shallots; cook 1 minute until fragrant but not burned.
- 4Increase heat to medium-high, add the mushrooms and sauté until they release liquid and begin to brown, about 5–7 minutes.
- 5Stir in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, mashed fermented bean curd, sugar, five-spice and white pepper; coat the mushrooms and cook 1–2 minutes to bloom the flavors.
- 6Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover and braise for 20–25 minutes until mushrooms are tender and flavors meld.
- 7Uncover and increase heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce until glossy and thick enough to cling to the mushrooms, about 3–5 minutes; taste and adjust seasoning with extra light soy if needed.
- 8Stir in sesame oil and half the sliced green onions, then remove from heat. If desired, stir in the second fermented bean curd whole or mashed for extra intensity.
To serve
- 1Fluff the cooked steamed rice and divide into 4 bowls.
- 2Ladle the mushroom lu rou generously over each bowl of rice and finish with the remaining sliced green onions.
Nutrition Information
- Calories
- 451 kcal
- Protein
- 12 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Carbs
- 65 g
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 451 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Carbs | 65 g |
Tips
- Slice mushrooms uniformly so they cook evenly; mince garlic and pre-measure sauces before starting.
- Caramelize the shallots slowly — deep color builds the umami backbone of the sauce.
- Serve hot over freshly steamed rice and let the sauce soak in for a minute before eating.
