The oak mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is a popular edible mushroom that has long been cultivated and eaten throughout Northeast Asia (including Korea). Its taste and flavor are unique. Oak mushrooms are cultivated on logs and in sawdust. The cultivation period on logs is 4–5 years, while the cultivation period in sawdust is 6 months, which is rapidly driving a shift from log to sawdust based cultivation. In particular, the Sanjo 701ho cultivar of L. edodes is a mid-range to hightemperature variety that is widely known for its suitability for summer cultivation on sawdust in Korea. This study summarizes new developments and achievements in the oak mushroom industry in Korea, and details the cultivation history of Sanjo 701ho, its culturing characteristics, various demonstration tests, and the expansion of domestic varieties.