‘Ramen brother’ farmer in China selling 46 US cents noodles becomes internet celebrity
- Farmer was initially overwhelmed and took to hiding in a neighbour’s house to escape horde of internet bloggers
- His village has however experienced an economic boom and now the farmer appreciates the fame
Cheng Yunfu – nicknamed Ramen Brother by online fans – was stunned when a video released on social media late last month of him selling his three yuan (46 US cents) noodle bowls went viral and unexpectedly catapulted him to fame.
Initially dismayed at the disruption to his life and his quiet village surrounds; one week later he has changed his tune and is hoping the continued popularity he is enjoying will improve the livelihoods of his fellow villagers.
In the video, Cheng, 39, said he had not put the price of noodles that he made and sold at a rural market in Feixian county in China’s eastern Shandong province up in 15 years. The reason, he offered, was that if he did increase prices, villagers would not be able to afford them anymore. Cheng said the alternative was to give people less noodles for their money, which would leave them hungry.
“When everybody is rich and has made fortunes, I will then raise the price,” he said in the video clip that has been viewed 200 million times.
