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According to Kompas.com, Ma Jianping, a 48-year-old barbecue chef at Yilan Restaurant in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, became an internet celebrity on Douyin after videos surfaced showing his striking facial resemblance to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The viral attention doubled the restaurant’s daily turnover, though Ma told KompasTekno that he feels nervous and prefers cooking over pursuing livestreaming fame.
Viral Douyin Video Drives Traffic to Shaanxi Barbecue Restaurant
A video capturing Ma Jianping grilling meat and serving customers went viral on Douyin, accumulating over 1.3 million likes within days of its posting, according to Kompas.com. Yilan Restaurant, which Ma co-owns and manages, quickly transitioned from a relatively quiet eatery to a crowded destination. Visitors arrived not only to eat, but also to take photographs and shake hands with the man local media and internet users dubbed the “Elon Musk of China.”
Before entering the culinary business, Ma worked as an electrician in Gansu province. Regular patrons had previously noted his facial similarities to the American billionaire, but public attention surged only after the Douyin footage spread widely online, drawing curious diners eager to verify the likeness in person.
Did you know? Ma Jianping worked as an electrician in Gansu province before shifting to the restaurant business and co-managing Yilan Restaurant in Tongchuan.
Business Impact and Operational Changes at Yilan Restaurant
According to Kompas.com, the sudden influx of social media attention caused daily turnover at Yilan Restaurant to increase by approximately two times compared to pre-viral levels. To manage the heavier crowds, Ma reported starting his workday around 9:00 a.m. and finishing past midnight to prepare food and serve patrons.
Despite receiving more than a dozen business proposals following his online popularity, Ma turned down every offer. He stated that he wants to remain focused solely on running his restaurant rather than capitalizing on the fame through livestreaming creation. One customer noted that menu prices at Yilan Restaurant remained unchanged despite the dramatic rise in customer volume.
FAQ Section
Who is the Chinese barbecue chef who looks like Elon Musk?
Ma Jianping is a 48-year-old co-owner and chef at Yilan Restaurant in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, who gained internet fame for his facial resemblance to Elon Musk.
How did Ma Jianping become famous?
According to Kompas.com, a video of Ma grilling meat and serving customers at his restaurant went viral on Douyin, earning over 1.3 million likes.
Did Ma Jianping accept livestreaming offers after going viral?
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