Weird Chinese Food › Wild Mushrooms
Yunnan Wild Mushrooms
野生菌（见手青等） · yěshēng jùn (jiànshǒuqīng)
Bravery rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️· Very brave
What does yunnan wild mushrooms taste like?
Rich, meaty and fragrant. Jianshouqing (a type of bolete, named because it bruises blue when touched) is stir-fried with chili and garlic; it is chewy and deeply savoury. Matsutake and other wild species are served in hotpot.
Footage: Aqiang Eats China on YouTube
Where to eat it in China
Yunnan, during the rainy season (roughly June to September). Kunming's wild mushroom markets and specialist mushroom hotpot restaurants.
How much does it cost?
Typical range: varies hugely by species and season; prized species are expensive.
⚠️ Safety tips
IMPORTANT: Undercooked jianshouqing can cause hallucinations ('seeing little people'), and Yunnan reports wild mushroom poisonings every year. Never pick your own. Eat only at experienced restaurants, make sure it's cooked thoroughly, don't mix with alcohol, and see a doctor immediately if you feel unwell.
🎥 Watch us eat it
Wild mushroom stalls in Kunming, Yunnan (starts at 7:20)
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FAQ
Why are Yunnan wild mushrooms dangerous?
Some species are poisonous, and others like jianshouqing are toxic if not cooked thoroughly.
When is mushroom season in Yunnan?
Usually the rainy season, around June–September.