Abroad
Man, 19, reportedly earns over S$9,000 a month in China wearing a dapper suit to sell fried rice
He cooks while slicking back his hair and winking at cameras.
May 15, 2026, 07:02 PM
Top images via Instagram
A 19-year-old man in China has become famous for running a fried rice stall dressed in a suit and striking dramatic poses while cooking.
According to South China Morning Post, the youth, surnamed Lu, runs a fried rice stall at a night market in Yantai.
Lu reportedly started helping out with the business at the age of 17 and has since become the family's main breadwinner.
Started wearing a suit to look more "decent"
According to reports, Lu initially decided to wear a suit while cooking on a whim because he thought it made him look more "decent”.
The look eventually became part of his identity.
He now cooks while slicking back his hair, winking at cameras and performing flashy movements as he continues tossing ingredients into his wok.
Lu also regularly flips the wok and performs exaggerated poses while preparing food, with some comparing him to Sanji, a fictional cook from the Japanese anime One Piece.
To lean into the resemblance further, he reportedly posts videos online using the hashtag #sanjifriedrice.
According to SCMP, Lu has amassed over 46,000 followers and 190,000 likes on social media.
Sells over 200 plates a day
Lu's stall reportedly operates daily from 5pm to 11:30pm.
During peak periods, he can prepare one serving of fried rice in about three minutes and reportedly sells more than 200 portions a day.
Each plate costs around CN¥10 (S$1.90).
According to Lu, the stall records a monthly turnover of around 50,000 yuan (S$9,400), with profits reaching approximately 20,000 yuan (S$3,800) after costs are deducted.
His father reportedly helps prepare ingredients and occasionally cooks alongside him.
Some online users questioned whether the figures were realistic.
In response, Lu reportedly livestreamed his business operations to address doubts.
He also said customers may initially stop by because of the spectacle.
“They might come out of curiosity,” he said.
“But what makes them stay is the flavour.”
The young man added that he originally wore suits to “bring some romance to the hustle and bustle” and did not expect customers to react so enthusiastically.
