You can pick up wood ear mushroom at any asian mart. In most chinese restaurants, you will find wood ear mushroom in your hot and sour soup. (It's the black stuff floating around.) I've only had fresh wood ear once in my life and that was in western china where wood ear and other types of fungus were plentifully gathered and available. Most of the time, I've had it rehydrated, which is just as tasty. It really just gives the dish a crunchy type of texture...kind of like jellyfish, or carrots. When you buy it, you can buy it already sliced, or dried whole. They're really inexpensive because a little goes a long way. A package that cost me $1.99 has lasted me over a year.
The wood ear mushroom shown is in its dried form. When re-hydrated, it can grow 3-4 times larger. There is also a white variety, which is mostly used in sweet dishes.
The wood ear mushroom shown is in its dried form. When re-hydrated, it can grow 3-4 times larger. There is also a white variety, which is mostly used in sweet dishes.