Mushroom sandwiches. They may sound…humble? Plain? A bit dull? Wrong. Forget any ideas of slimy button shrooms slapped between pre-pack slices and consider the idea of wild mushrooms sautéed with garlic, topped with cheese, perhaps some herbs, and a sprinkle of seasoning…now we’re talking. They’ve a very satisfying texture, and plenty of umami (say that last word in the style of Vic Reeves on Shooting Stars for maximum enjoyment), which together make for a full on sandwich experience.

Mushroom Sandwich from Spore Boys

It’s fair to say that the Spore Boys were pioneers of the mushroom sandwich in London and they still make one of the best. The Spore Boys run their mushroom stall from various markets around London (see website for details), selling a variety of wild mushrooms and also cooking them up into a magnificent sandwich. A selection of the finest shrooms (which may include Winter Chanterelle, Girolle, Buna Shimeji, Shiitake, Golden Enoki, Fresh Cep and always some ‘humble cup’) are fried in butter with a little garlic, piled onto sourdough bread and topped with shaved pecorino cheese, parsley, a sprinkle of sea salt and more than a tinkle of olive oil.

Truffle Egg and Mushroom Sandwich at Loaf

Loaf describes itself as part traditional British caff, part New York coffee shop. Their menu looks so simple you’d be forgiven for thinking it was bog standard but you’d be very wrong - the execution is impressive. Chestnut mushrooms sautéed with garlic and sandwiched with fuzzy ricotta, oozy mozzarella and truffle oil. Okay so this depends on how you feel about truffle oil (there are plenty of haters out there) but I think it’s blinding in a toasted cheese situation.

Image Credit: Loaf

Sub-terranean at Sub-Cult

Sub-Cult is another joint that’s working the Anglo-American vibe. You’ll find these guys slinging subs from their van on Broadwick Street in Soho during the day, and at The Duke of Wellington (N1) in the evenings. If the idea of a soft, part-brioche sub filled with seared woodland mushrooms, roast garlic, crème fraiche, thyme, Stilton and a hint of truffle floats your boat, then you know what to do.

Image Credit: Sub Cult

Yumbun

Street food giants Yum Bun make a mighty fine mushroom filling for their addictive Chinese steamed buns. Funghi come miso-glazed and very moreish, topped with toasted walnuts. Cucumber and spring onion nestle alongside. It is completely impossible to eat just one and walk away.

Shake Shack ‘Shroom Burger

Now this is a veggie burger worth your money, and not a bean in sight. A deep fried Portobello mushroom is stuffed with a mixture of cheddar and muenster cheeses, which burst gloriously forth once you take a bite. The sandwich comes topped with lettuce, tomato and ‘Shack Sauce’ and it surely has to be the one of the best mushroom burgers ever made. www.shakeshack.com

Image Credit: Larry, flickr

Cover Image Credit: Spore Boys

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