BEIJING: A barbecue chef in northwest China has become an internet sensation after users noticed his striking resemblance to Elon Musk, prompting a wave of memes and jokes online.
Ma Jianping, 48, from Tongchuan in Shaanxi province, co-owns and operates Yilan Restaurant, where he showcases his culinary skills. Originally from Gansu province, Ma spent years working as an electrician before transitioning to the catering industry.
On July 26, a video showing Ma serving dishes at his restaurant quickly gained traction on Douyin, garnering over 1.3 million likes.
Hongxing News reported that customers had noted Ma’s resemblance to Musk even before his recent surge in fame. This coincidence was further highlighted by the fact that his surname, “Ma,” phonetically aligns with Musk.
Musk’s global profile has skyrocketed in recent years, with his net worth reportedly surpassing US$1 trillion following SpaceX’s US listing in June, making him the world’s first trillionaire.
Ma revealed to mainland media that his unexpected fame has left him feeling “shy and nervous.” He noted that business at his previously quiet restaurant has doubled, with many customers visiting specifically to meet him, take photos, and shake his hand.
One diner, surnamed Bai, told Bailu Video: “I have only seen Musk grilling meat in AI-generated videos. This is my first time meeting ‘Musk’ in real life, and I’m thrilled.”
Bai also commended Ma for keeping his prices unchanged despite his new-found popularity.
Ma mentioned that over a dozen individuals have approached him with potential business opportunities, yet he has no plans to live-stream, preferring to focus on his restaurant. He reportedly works from 9am until after midnight most days.
His online fame has sparked a surge of AI-generated memes. Users have created images of Ma in a suit to amplify his resemblance to Musk, while others imagined him grilling alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
One social media user humorously remarked: “Starlink cost Musk billions of dollars, but he made it back through barbecue.” Another joked that Musk and Ma, who share the surname “Ma” in Chinese, must be “long-lost brothers.” Some even suggested renaming his restaurant “Space X Barbecue.”
Musk has yet to comment on Ma, though he previously responded to another Chinese lookalike, Ma Yilong, who was dubbed “China’s Elon Musk” by mainland media.
After a comparison photo circulated on X in 2022, Musk remarked: “I’d like to meet this guy (if he is real). Hard to tell with deepfakes these days.”
Some online users later questioned whether Ma Yilong’s viral images had been AI-enhanced. Since 2025, many of his videos have been labelled as “AI-generated content” by mainland platforms, though he has not directly addressed these claims.
Celebrity impersonators have also gained traction in China.
In May, Liaoning farmer Yang Yang attracted more than 120,000 followers by mimicking Jensen Huang, recreating his signature look with flour-covered hair, glasses frames, and a black leather jacket. - South China Morning Post
