First, I washed the mushrooms under running water and patted them dry. I like slicing them evenly to ensure each piece fries to the perfect crisp, though you can cut them to your preferred size.
I mixed all-purpose flour, corn starch, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Then, I slowly added water while whisking to create a smooth, thick batter that clings to each mushroom slice.
I heated oil in a pan and coated the mushroom slices in the batter. Frying them until golden brown gave me that irresistible crunch. I did this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
In a separate pan, I heated sesame oil and sautéed garlic, ginger, and chili until aromatic. Then, I added chopped red and green bell peppers, giving the sauce a colorful, fresh taste.
Once the sauce was ready, I tossed in the crispy mushrooms. I stirred everything gently to coat each piece evenly with the flavorful sauce, then finished it off with fresh cilantro.