One of the most infamous Chinese tattoo fails: someone asked for "warrior" or "strength" and received the characters for a popular soup dish instead.
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
The Characters
- 鸡 (jī) = Chicken
- 汤 (tāng) = Soup
- 面 (miàn) = Noodles
There is absolutely no connection between these characters and anything related to warriors, strength, or power.
What "Strength" Actually Looks Like
If you wanted a tattoo representing strength or power, here are the correct options:
- 力量 (lì liàng) = Strength, power
- 勇气 (yǒng qì) = Courage
- 战士 (zhàn shì) = Warrior
- 武士 (wǔ shì) = Martial warrior
Key Takeaways
- Never copy characters from random sources – Especially menus, signs, or packaging
- Beauty does not equal meaning – All Chinese characters are artistic
- Get verification before the tattoo, not after