Mushroom God Enters Lugu Valley: Tourism and Dining Shine Together

Lin Ming-tsuen, Magistrate of Nantou County (left), is pleased to see entrepreneur Lin Ming-shun (second from left) return to his hometown to invest, contributing his expertise to boost tourism and the food industry. (Photo by Shen Hui-sheng)

President Tsai Ing-wen offers congratulations. (Photo by Shen Hui-sheng)

The signature dish “Semi-Wild Log-Grown Winter Mushroom and Native Chicken Hotpot” is delicious, and the dining environment is excellent. (Photo by Shen Hui-sheng)

A wide variety of mushroom-related products are available. (Photo by Shen Hui-sheng)

Business was bustling on the opening day. (Photo by Shen Hui-sheng)

Lin Ming-shun, chairman of the well-known Taichung landscape restaurant “Mushroom God,” started planning the Lugu branch in his hometown of Nantou County two years ago. The store officially opened on the 17th, with distinguished guests including Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan, Magistrate Lin Ming-tsuen, Legislator Hsu Shu-hua, and County Council Speaker Ho Sheng-feng offering their congratulations. President Tsai Ing-wen presented a congratulatory plaque, while Su Jia-chyuan praised Lin Ming-shun for taking mushroom cuisine to the next level. Magistrate Lin Ming-tsuen expressed his hope that “Mushroom God” would elevate tourism dining to new heights.

Lin Ming-shun’s hometown is Zhushan. At the age of 17, he left to work elsewhere for 35 years and achieved success in the mushroom industry before transitioning to running “Mushroom God,” which is known for its professional cuisine. A few years ago, when fellow villagers asked why he didn’t open a shop in his hometown given his excellent health-focused meals, he spent years selecting a location, planning, and constructing before officially launching operations on the 17th.

Other distinguished guests invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Lugu Township Chief Huang Tung-hao, Nantou City Mayor Sung Huai-lin, Zhushan Township Chief Huang Tan-i, as well as county councilors Hsu Su-hsia, Wu Jui-fang, Chang Chih-ming, and Chen Chao-yu. Lin Ming-shun said that opening a store in his hometown must be done without any shortcomings, and he will uphold the consistent philosophy of Mushroom God: “The Way of Wellness, Food at Mushroom God!” to provide customers with the best dining experience.

Lin Ming-shun’s family has been professional mushroom farmers since his grandfather’s generation. As the third-generation grower, he initially traded mushrooms and became the largest importer of top-tier mushrooms from Japan and Korea. Over a decade ago, he transitioned to operating a mushroom-themed restaurant. With extensive mushroom knowledge, complete cultivation techniques, and rich experience, he is highly skilled in preparing mushroom dishes. In addition to preserving the nutritional value of the mushrooms, the flavors of the dishes are also exceptional.

The signature dish of the “Mushroom God” Lugu branch, “Semi-Wild Log-Grown Winter Mushroom and Native Chicken Hotpot,” is made with a broth simmered from a variety of mushrooms, along with high-quality winter mushrooms and native chicken leg meat. It comes with a platter of seasonal fresh mushrooms, a health-focused fresh vegetable platter, handmade hundred-mushroom meatballs, and a pork and vegetable plate. The generous portions are both refined and satisfying. Additionally, a “Pickled Bamboo Shoot Native Chicken Hotpot” has been developed specifically for locals in the Zhushan and Lugu areas.

Lin Ming-shun noted that Mushroom God’s wood ear mushroom dew has won first prize in Taichung City’s Top Ten Souvenirs, the Golden Word-of-Mouth Award, and the Best Popularity Award for several consecutive years. He revealed that a second Lugu branch will soon open.