Sun Moon Lake Presidential Fish is a freshwater fish native to Sun Moon Lake, known scientifically as Chanodichthys erythropterus and popularly nicknamed for the late President Chiang Kai-shek's fondness for it; together with kirifish and lake shrimp it forms the lake's "Three Treasures." Around Ita Thao pier, Thao-style restaurants stand side by side, and every menu features this dish — steamed or braised, the flesh fine-textured and sweetly fresh, nurtured by the lake — the meal worth sitting down for when visiting the Ita Thao settlement.
Presidential Fish is scientifically Chanodichthys erythropterus, locally called qu-yao fish. It earned its nickname because the late President Chiang Kai-shek praised the fish highly after tasting it during a visit to Sun Moon Lake and reportedly requested it whenever he stayed at Chihpi Villa. Taiwan's agriculture tourism portal (under the Ministry of Agriculture) and multiple news outlets record Presidential Fish, kirifish, and lake shrimp as Sun Moon Lake's "Three Treasures," and the dish is a signature item at Thao-style restaurants throughout Ita Thao.
What is Sun Moon Lake Presidential Fish?
Presidential Fish is the tonguesole caught in Sun Moon Lake. It earned its name because the late President Chiang Kai-shek was fond of eating it. Together with kirifish and lake shrimp, it is known as one of the Three Treasures of Sun Moon Lake — the lake's most representative fresh catches. The flesh is delicate and naturally sweet. It is the signature fish dish at Thao-style restaurants throughout the Ita Thao area, most commonly served steamed, pan-fried, or braised — the taste of the lake, pure and simple.
The fish's fame traces back to a local story: the tonguesole was nicknamed "Presidential Fish" because the late President Chiang Kai-shek loved to eat it, and the name has stuck as a byword for Sun Moon Lake's lake produce ever since. It is not a dish exclusive to any single restaurant — it is on the menu at virtually every restaurant in the Ita Thao settlement. This dish is anchored to the entire Ita Thao pier lake-fish restaurant cluster, not to any one establishment; eating here is about experiencing the shared lakeside catch culture of the whole community.
How to eat it the authentic way
Local knowledge
Verified facts (sponsored content excluded)
- Presidential Fish is the tonguesole, named because the late President Chiang Kai-shek was fond of eating it. Together with kirifish and lake shrimp, it is recognized as one of the Three Treasures of Sun Moon Lake.
- Thao-style restaurants throughout the Ita Thao area widely feature Presidential Fish as their signature dish. This guide anchors this entry to the Ita Thao settlement, not to any single restaurant.
- This guide is organized by dish. The anchor settlement is noted only for location reference and future on-site photography — it is not a restaurant ranking.
Visitor tips
- Ita Thao is both a ferry stop on Sun Moon Lake and the core of the Thao community. You can arrive by boat or car. Crowds at meal times are heavy on weekends.
- Lake fish is typically served family-style. Coming with a group makes it easier to order the Three Treasures and side dishes together.
- Coordinates are approximate field-survey values. Actual restaurant locations and hours should be confirmed on-site.
Information compiled from the Nantou County Government tourism resources and local township farmers' associations. Sponsored content has been excluded. Photos will be replaced after on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of fish is Presidential Fish?
It is the qu-yao fish native to Sun Moon Lake, scientifically Chanodichthys erythropterus, nicknamed for President Chiang Kai-shek's fondness for it.
What are the "Three Treasures" of Sun Moon Lake?
The Three Treasures are Presidential Fish, kirifish, and lake shrimp — the lake's three most representative catches.
Where can you eat Presidential Fish?
Thao-style restaurants around Ita Thao pier widely feature it as their signature dish — the core cluster for lake-fish dining.
How is Presidential Fish typically cooked?
Common preparations are steamed, pan-fried, or braised; steamed highlights the delicate sweet flesh, braised is bolder and rice-friendly.
Sources
- 農業知識入口網《總統魚是什麼魚？》 — 總統魚命名由來與蔣介石的關係
- 農業易遊網（農業部）《南投－日月潭總統魚 總統也愛吃》 — 潭產三寶介紹
- 華視新聞網《潭蝦.奇力魚.總統魚 日月潭三寶!》 — 潭產三寶交叉驗證