Clouds Ears?

Once had a Chinese meal in a Birmingham restaurant, The Slow Boat in The Bullring if I remember correctly.  It served authentic food, no chips or curry sauce and I had a dish called Abalone and Cloud's Ears.  I hadn't a clue what I was eating (it was 1964 and the Company were paying) but it was one of those dishes that set me off on a lifetime of wanting to know more about Oriental food.

I've also seen this fungus called Jew's Ears.