Jian Shou Qing (见手青): Yunnan's viral mushroom sensation

A wild mushroom from Yunnan, known as "Jian Shou Qing (见手青)," scientifically known as Lanmaoa asiatica, has sparked a viral trend online due to its unusual hallucinogenic effects. Interest in this mushroom peaks every year during its wild harvesting season in July and August. "Jian Shou Qing" refers to a group of wild mushrooms, with popular types including the Red Onion Bolete (红葱牛肝菌) and Purple Onion Bolete (紫葱牛肝菌). These mushrooms turn a striking indigo colour when squeezed, cut, or torn. However, eating them undercooked can cause poisoning, hallucinations, and even nerve damage.

Jian Shou Qing with indigo color after being cut. Image: Xiaohongshu @纳里乡情

The hashtag #Jianshouqing has racked up over 140 million views on Xiaohongshu and more than 1.83 billion views on Douyin. While many people discuss its use as an ingredient and its unexpected good taste, a significant number of conversations on Xiaohongshu focus on experiences with poisoning. Since Jian Shou Qing is toxic and must be fully cooked before eating, it's worth noting that consuming wild mushrooms like Jian Shou Qing can be risky—so it's best not to sample them casually.

On Xiaohongshu, many people have shared their poisoning reactions after eating dishes containing Jian Shou Qing, such as dizziness and hallucinations (like seeing little people, thinking they're Ultraman, or trying to catch sprites).  Image: Xiaohongshu @Air 果子 @唐山零距离 @闪电新闻

You don’t need to travel to Yunnan to try Jian Shou Qing—it’s already become a viral hit online, attracting a lot of attention. This surge in popularity is quickly reflected in the restaurant scene. A search for "Jian Shou Qing" on Dianping shows that many Yunnan restaurants now offer dishes featuring this mushroom, typically in stir-fries or hotpot, and it doesn't come cheap.

Jian Shou Qing image hotpot and stir-fry dishes. Image: Dianping

In addition to the usual hotpot and stir-fry dishes, some businesses are also capitalizing on the Jian Shou Qing trend by incorporating it into other products, such as dirty coffee, beer, and ice cream, all with Jian Shou Qing flavour, not the ingredient.

The Jian Shou Qing dirty coffee doesn’t actually contain Jianshouqing—it’s just a mix of blue and green spirulina powder to create that teal color, with black truffle powder added for a mushroom-like flavour. So, no matter how many cups you drink, there’s no risk of poisoning. Many people are drawn to it purely for the novelty and striking visual effect. Image: @traaaaaacy @韬韬爱吃 @CHIRENCHENG

Beer with Jian Shou Qing flavor. Image: Xiaohongshu @拾不圆 @小盈 @蔡景晖

There's also Jianshouqing-flavored ice cream, which is part of the range of Yunnan wild mushroom-flavored ice creams. Image: Xiaohongshu @出清面糊头 @白一达Zico @ 貌美如花

In short, when consumers try Jian Shou Qing-related products, it's not really about the taste—it's the rarity, novelty, and thrill that matter most.