A barbecue chef in China has attracted widespread attention for his striking resemblance to Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX. Ma Jianping, 48, who co-owns Yilan Restaurant in Tongchuan, has seen his business flourish after videos of him grilling meat received over 1.3 million likes on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.

Despite the surge in popularity, Ma clarified that he is not the world’s richest man, a title that belongs to Musk, who recently became the first billionaire following SpaceX’s stock market launch. Customers and social media users have noted Ma’s physical similarity to Musk for some time and also remarked on how Ma’s name sounds somewhat like Musk’s in Chinese.

The viral clips have drawn crowds to Yilan Restaurant, where visitors frequently request photos and handshakes with Ma. While the chef appreciates the increased business, he acknowledged that the sudden attention has made him feel shy and nervous.

Ma’s experience highlights the unexpected ways social media can influence small businesses, with a resemblance to a global figure helping to boost visibility and customer engagement in a competitive market.