Chujian Owner Wants to Shed "Grass Store" Label, Chen Chih-han's Support Photos Make Netizens Laugh: "Grass Store" Confirmed!

The owner of the popular Taiwanese hot pot chain, Chujian, is making a concerted effort to distance his business from political associations, particularly the label "grass store" (草店), which implies support for a specific political faction. This label has been a source of contention for months, with the owner, Lin Kai-chieh, breaking his silence to emphasize his neutrality.

In a statement issued via the restaurant's official Threads account, Lin Kai-chieh asserted that he has never explicitly supported any political party. He appealed for an end to what he described as "non-existent and untrue" political commentary, stressing the importance of coexisting peacefully on the island without baseless online defamation.

However, an attempt to publicly support him by Chen Chih-han, director of the Taiwan People's Party legislative caucus, appears to have backfired spectacularly. Chen posted photos of herself dining at Chujian, intending to counter claims that Taiwanese people are avoiding the restaurant due to its perceived political leanings. Instead, her post was met with widespread amusement and criticism online, with many netizens interpreting it as confirmation of the "grass store" label.

This incident highlights the delicate balance businesses must strike in Taiwan's politically charged environment. While the owner's intention was to de-politicize his brand, the intervention by a prominent political figure inadvertently reinforced the very association he sought to escape. The online reaction, characterized by humor and skepticism, underscores the public's awareness and sensitivity to political affiliations in consumer choices. For many Taiwanese, the "grass store" label is not just a descriptor but a statement of values, and attempts to dismiss it are often met with a knowing, and sometimes sarcastic, response.