You can cook with both fresh and dried shiitake, although the dried ones are slightly more popular.Dried shiitake have an umami flavor that’s even more intense than when fresh.Umami flavor can be described as savory or meaty. It’s often considered the fifth taste, alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.Both dried and fresh shiitake mushrooms are used in stir-fries, soups, stews, and other dishes.
