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Alice Yan

A food stall operator in China has seen his business boom after he cosplayed as a famous actor who played an ancient emperor.
The vendor, known as Ye, sells fried stinky tofu on a snack street in Wuhan, central Hubei province.
He bears a striking resemblance to the famous Chinese actor Chen Jianbin, who plays Emperor Yongzheng in the viral television series Zhen Huan Zhuan.

Ye, 40, started selling fried stinky tofu at the end of last year after his breakfast shop went bankrupt.
Initially, the tofu business struggled, the Haibao News reported.
In February, one of his friends who sells ducks near his stall suggested he wear a cap like the one worn by Chen in the television dramas to attract the attention of passers-by.
Ye said he was unwilling at first, but changed his mind for the sake of his business.

The public reaction was remarkable and Ye went viral on social media as Chen’s lookalike.
Encouraged by this, Ye gave his stall a makeover.
He changed its name to the more unusual Silang Stinky Tofu, Silang being the nickname of Emperor Yongzheng in the television series.
He also hangs a horizontal inscribed board with the four Chinese characters Zheng Da Guang Ming on his shop, copying the famous board in the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Ye also added a humorous advertisement on the wall of his outlet which reads: “With an empty national treasury, the emperor has to work to earn a living.”
Besides the cap, Ye also wears a long black-and-yellow gown like Chen does in the drama.
Ye said his revenue increased by 50 per cent over the past six months.
“During peak hours, I can sell 50 sets of tofu within three hours,” he was quoted as saying.
Each set of tofu is priced at 10 to 12 yuan (US$1.40 to US$1.70), depending on the size of the meal box.
Some customers interacted with Ye by playfully asking him: “Silang, when will you return to your palace?”

Ye replied: “I do not know. I do not know how long I need to work hard to make enough money.”
“I would like to thank the public for supporting me. But I am aware that it is the food quality, instead of Silang, that keeps my business going,” Ye told the media.
“I started selling fried tofu because my wife likes it, and only ended up becoming an emperor, ha,” he joked.
Fried stinky tofu is a popular street food across China. It consists of deep-fried, fermented tofu served with a variety of sauces and toppings.


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Chinese snack vendor resembles famous TV actor, dresses as emperor to boost business

A man in China who resembles a famous television actor who plays an emperor is boosting his stinky tofu stall’s popularity by dressing like the star. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Baidu

Ye hams it up in his emperor’s robe and cap. The outfit has helped his business boom. Photo: Handout

Ye said he decided to start selling stinky tofu because his wife likes the delicacy. Photo: Handout

Stinky tofu, as the name suggests, has a pungent aroma. It is hugely popular across China. Photo: Shutterstock

An aerial view of Wuhan city where Ye plies his trade. The vendor says his business has grown by 50 per cent over the past six months. Photo: Shutterstock

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Stinky tofu seller whose breakfast business bit the dust finds success with ancient-look outfit; thanks customers after going viral


Stinky tofu seller whose breakfast business bit the dust finds success with ancient-look outfit; thanks customers after going viral.


Chinese cuisine

Chinese snack vendor resembles famous TV actor, dresses as emperor to boost business

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Stinky tofu seller whose breakfast business bit the dust finds success with ancient-look outfit; thanks customers after going viral

Stinky tofu seller whose breakfast business bit the dust finds success with ancient-look outfit; thanks customers after going viral