A viral Chinese tattoo fail: man gets "鸡汤面" (Chicken Noodle Soup) tattooed thinking it meant "Strength." Learn why you should never copy characters from menus or random sources.
The Story
"I pointed to a menu item that looked cool. I thought it was a warrior slogan."
This story has become internet legend. A man visiting a Chinese restaurant saw some beautiful-looking characters on the menu. Without understanding what they meant, he thought they looked powerful and mysterious – perfect for a tattoo.
He took a photo, brought it to his tattoo artist, and now permanently wears 鸡汤面 (jī tāng miàn) on his body. Translation? Chicken Noodle Soup.
Why This Happens More Often Than You Think
Chinese characters are visually stunning. Their complex strokes and artistic appearance make them attractive for tattoos. But this beauty is also a trap:
- All Chinese characters look "cool" – Even mundane words like "exit" or "toilet"
- You can't judge meaning by appearance – A simple character might mean something profound, while a complex one might mean "discount"
- Context is invisible to non-speakers – Menu items, warning signs, and advertisements all use beautiful calligraphy
What "Strength" Actually Looks Like
If you wanted a tattoo representing strength or power, here are the correct options:
力
lì – Strength / Power (single character)
力量
lì liàng – Strength / Force (compound word)
勇
yǒng – Brave / Courageous
The Golden Rules
- Never copy characters from random sources – Menus, signs, product packaging, or social media
- Beautiful doesn't mean meaningful – Chinese advertising uses attractive calligraphy for mundane products
- If you can't read it, don't ink it – Would you tattoo random English words? Apply the same standard to Chinese
- Always verify before you ink – A professional can tell you if your "warrior symbol" is actually a lunch special
Famous Menu Tattoo Fails
This person isn't alone. Other documented menu-related tattoo disasters include:
- 红烧肉 (hóng shāo ròu) – Braised Pork Belly
- 麻婆豆腐 (má pó dòu fu) – Mapo Tofu
- 宫保鸡丁 (gōng bǎo jī dīng) – Kung Pao Chicken
All delicious dishes. None of them make good tattoos.