A Chinese street food vendor who built a six-figure income selling pancakes on the streets of Los Angeles has announced plans to run for mayor, drawing attention online and sparking debate about immigration, ambition, and the limits of American political life.
Tang, 31, was born to a rural family in Sichuan, southwestern China. He left school after completing secondary education. His father works as a security guard. His mother works as a cleaner.
After secondary school, Tang worked in a factory in Shenzhen, South China Morning Post reports. He later sold cars through live-streams. In his spare time, he taught himself to make savoury pancakes, a popular snack from Hubei province in central China.
He moved to the United States in 2022 with little knowledge of English. He first found work at a used-car showroom. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles and began selling savoury pancakes on the street. He relied on translation apps to speak with customers.
The business grew quickly.
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According to Jiupai News, Tang charged between US$10 and US$60 per serving. He made more than US$150,000 in his first year. At one point, his monthly income exceeded US$20,000.
His story spread widely on Chinese social media. Followers praised his drive and his ability to build a business in a country where he did not speak the language. Videos of his stall attracted large audiences online.
Then came the arrest.
Immigration agents arrested Tang in Los Angeles on July 19, 2025. The arrest came after dispute with rival vendor. Tang had been operating without a business licence, and concerns about hygiene and unlicensed trading were also raised. Questions about his visa status surfaced online and drew significant backlash.
He was released on bail. The arrest did not end his public profile. If anything, it raised it further.
After the controversy, Tang shifted part of his public image toward charity work. He began distributing free food in poor neighbourhoods. He provided practical help to homeless people. He also started live-streaming videos in which he gave extra portions to women in need. Volunteers began joining him at his stall, wearing the same aprons he used.
The shift attracted a new wave of supporters. Some praised his response to the controversy. His online following continued to grow, and he became a recurring subject of discussion in Chinese-language social media circles inside the United States.
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Now Tang has announced a more ambitious goal. He says he plans to run for mayor of Los Angeles within three years. His stated slogan is to “make Los Angeles great again.”
The announcement has generated substantial buzz, particularly in Chinese-speaking communities and on platforms popular with overseas Chinese audiences. For many followers, his story fits a recognizable narrative of immigrant self-reliance. He arrived without money, built a business with his hands, and now wants a seat at the table in one of the largest cities in the United States.
But the path to any such candidacy faces serious obstacles.
Under United States law, only citizens are eligible to run for most public offices, including mayor of Los Angeles. Tang’s immigration status remains an open question. Reports have noted that his visa situation was already a subject of online scrutiny at the time of his arrest. He has not publicly confirmed his current legal status or whether he holds any pathway to citizenship.
His announcement faces immigration status hurdles that are not simply procedural. Becoming naturalised US citizen typically requires several years of legal residency, passing civics test, meeting additional requirements. Even if Tang resolves his status, the timeline to citizenship alone would make a mayoral run within three years difficult.
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There are also questions about party affiliation and how he would navigate the Los Angeles political system. Running for mayor of a city of nearly four million people requires not just legal eligibility but also fundraising, coalition-building, and name recognition beyond social media. No formal campaign infrastructure has been reported.
Los Angeles held its most recent mayoral election on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass sought re-election in that race. Tang did not appear on the ballot.
His profile, however, continues to expand. He has attracted volunteers. He has gained attention from Chinese-language media in the United States and mainland China. His story has been covered by outlets including Jiupai News and picked up across multiple platforms.