Besides romantic flower walls, there's also a handsome boss — come to Secret Garden for a cup of white fungus soup.

By /K's journeyPhotos / K's journey, Andy

A fair-skinned, handsome young man rides a lady’s bicycle, with boxes filled with white fungus broth freshly cooked that day, waiting for customers in the bustling Xinyi District. He is Andy, who says, “I hope that in the future, everyone will drink a cup of white fungus broth every day, just like drinking coffee.” As he speaks, his eyes reveal unwavering determination.

▲White fungus bike appears in Xinyi District. (Photo provided by Andy)

▲Beautiful studio.

On the day of the interview, I visited Andy’s newly established studio. The first thing that caught my eye was a romantic flower wall. Although the interior decor wasn’t fully in place yet, from his descriptions, I could already imagine how even more exquisite and beautiful the space would become. Everyone knows that starting a business alone is tough, and Andy wears all the hats — from coming up with the name, designing the logo, shaping the brand image, developing flavors, planning the official website, expanding sales channels, to decorating the storefront. Efficiency-driven, he accomplished it all in just one year, and broke even within six months.

▲He even made the lamp stands himself.

Named “Secret Garden,” it is one of the few white fungus broth specialty stores in Taiwan. The brand aspires to be the “LV of the white fungus world,” emphasizing the use of top-grade, carefully selected white fungus. All ingredients are sourced from Taiwan, free from pesticides and toxins, ensuring consumer peace of mind. So far, the owner has developed eight flavors, among which “Charred Longan,” “Osmanthus Brown Sugar,” “Honey Goji,” and “Rose Peach” have received high praise.

▲How about a cup? (Photo provided by Andy)

Normally, when I cook white fungus at home, it never gets soft enough and always retains that slightly crispy texture. But theirs can truly be described as “melting in your mouth” — incredibly smooth. A whole 900cc bottle is packed with collagen, and it’s not overly sweet. It’s suitable as a daily health drink for most people, and also great for pregnant women or elders who need to nourish their bodies.


▲Smooth and delicious white fungus broth. (Photo provided by Andy)

After taking a sip of the white fungus broth, Andy began to share stories about his “crazy” past. At 15, desperate to buy a motorcycle, he walked into a hotpot restaurant and asked for a job — though the shop didn’t hire him. But his determination to work never wavered. “It’s not about can or cannot, it’s about want or don’t want!” After turning 16, he taught dance at a high school club during the day and worked as a receptionist at a gym at night. Not much of a student, he attended four different high schools and eventually only earned a dropout certificate.

Andy frankly stated, “People say you go to school to find a good job. I don’t agree. And I have no reason to go back.” Later, he worked as a fitness coach, a real estate agent, and even joined the underworld — wherever there was money to be made, he went.

He was once the “third-best-performing real estate salesman in all of Taipei,” owning a Mercedes-Benz convertible by age 23 and basking in the admiration of his friends. Back then, young and impulsive, he frequented nightclubs and lived extravagantly. But money came fast and left even faster. He once had a monthly income of over a million NT dollars, but also struggled to afford a NT$50 meal box. It’s hard to imagine that this gentle, well-mannered 30-year-old man once led such a turbulent life.

▲Understanding customer needs firsthand. (Photo provided by Andy)

Now, he focuses all his energy on the white fungus beverage business, with no time to spare. The stress is so intense that he relies on sleeping pills to get through each night, but he feels he has no way back. Having lived a wild youth, now he only seeks a day of stability. Without an extensive academic background, he taught himself accounting, learned to use online tools, and studied why other fan pages succeed. He says, “I’m not afraid to learn 100 types of skills, but I’m afraid of practicing just one skill for 100 years.”

▲Even the cats love it. (Photo provided by Andy)

In addition to street bike sales, Andy has also developed online delivery, Uber Eats, and Foodpanda channels. He personally visits companies to conduct tasting events, listening to customer feedback firsthand, because professionalism and trust are the core values of the brand. Upholding the belief of “serving customers well,” he brews healthy white fungus broth in his little Secret Garden every day.

▲Romantic flower wall and white fungus broth.

▲Everyone, come on down !

Secret Garden White Fungus Broth Specialty Store
Address: 1F, No. 83, Lane 156, Wuxing St., Xinyi District, Taipei City
Business Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10:30–19:00
Line: ＠iru1238d