Chongqing - In late September, a humble street vendor in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province—known affectionately as “Chicken Cutlet Brother”—became an unexpected social media sensation. During the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, thousands lined up for hours to taste his crispy chicken cutlets. Even weeks later, lines still stretch over 100 meters.

Behind the stall, 48-year-old Li Junyong moves swiftly, frying, chatting, and snapping photos with customers. A banner above his stall reads: “I’m still in control of this scene.” True to his words, he handles both the heat and the hype with calm confidence.

On October 11, in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, “Chicken Cutlet Brother” fries chicken cutlets. (Photo/Niu Tai, Shangyou News)

From Factory Worker to Beloved Vendor

Li’s story begins far from fame. Born in 1977, he moved from Nanchang to Jingdezhen as a child when his father worked at a porcelain factory. After graduating from a technical school, Li worked as a mechanic at the Jianguo Porcelain Factory—once a royal kiln producing China’s finest porcelain. But when the state-owned factories shut down in the 1990s, thousands, including Li, lost their jobs.

The Jianguo Porcelain Factory has been transformed into a national intangible cultural heritage handicraft base. (Photo/Jingdezhen Release)

His father’s advice was simple: “You don’t need to make a fortune, but you must have a skill.” Li went to Nanchang to learn cooking from a family elder, starting from the bottom—washing fish tanks, chopping vegetables, and finally mastering the wok. Two years later, he returned to Jingdezhen as a chef.

“Chicken Cutlet Brother” and his wife, “Chicken Cutlet Sister.” (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Li later married his longtime pen pal—now known as “Chicken Cutlet Sister.” Together, they opened a small breakfast shop before switching to street vending. Over the years, they sold everything from grilled skewers to pancakes, working twelve hours a day in the sun and rain. Their hard work gradually paid off, allowing them to move from a small dorm room to an apartment of their own.

Frying with Heart and Smile

In 2016, Li began specializing in fried chicken cutlets. His focus on food safety and authenticity earned him a loyal local following—especially among students. “The chicken I sell is the same one I bring home for my daughter,” he says.

Every cutlet is handmade, and every move is precise. “After nine years, it’s all muscle memory,” he explains. “I can tell just by looking when it’s time to take it out of the oil.”

“Chicken Cutlet Brother” poses for a photo with a customer. (Photo/Niu Tai, Shangyou News)

Li believes sincerity is the key to good business. His lively humor, quick banter, and theatrical frying style aren’t performances—they’re habits honed over years of keeping customers entertained during long waits. “Before I became popular, I’d chat to ease people’s impatience. Now they call them ‘golden quotes,’ but I’m just trying to make them laugh.”

His kindness extends beyond business. When a student forgot his lunch money, Li not only gave him a free meal but also handed him 20 yuan for the day. When a woman asked for help finding her missing sister, Li used his newfound online fame to amplify her story, saying, “Today, something more important than chicken cutlets needs attention.”

Viral Fame, Unchanged Heart

When “Chicken Cutlet Brother” suddenly went viral, earning millions of views and even being named Jingdezhen’s cultural tourism ambassador, he remained unfazed. “You can’t let fame go to your head,” he said. “Frying chicken cutlets is my foundation—what I did before, I’ll keep doing.”

As livestreamers, influencers, and imitators crowded around his stall, Li refused to see them as rivals. “They’re all workers, like me,” he said. “We should support each other.” He only asks for one thing: “Don’t spread rumors or bother my family. My father’s been gone over ten years, yet someone online claimed to be him. That hurt.”

On October 10, the line in front of “Chicken Cutlet Brother’s” stall stretched over 100 meters. (Photo/Niu Tai, Shangyou News)

Despite offers of partnerships and million-yuan deals, Li insists on keeping things simple: “I haven’t thought about monetizing the fame. I just want to do my job well and fry every cutlet right.”

Commentators say Li’s authenticity is what makes him stand out. His humor, humility, and discipline resonate with audiences longing for sincerity in an age of curated personas. His story of perseverance, craftsmanship, and grounded optimism reflects the enduring charm of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, one fried chicken cutlet at a time.