Actor-Model Zhang Liang Spends a Day as Manager at His Namesake Mala Tang Chain's Shanghai HQ
Actor Zhang Liang spent a day as manager at Zhang Liang Mala Tang's Shanghai headquarters, working in the kitchen and proposing a branded fitness meal set.
Zhang Liang (张亮), the Chinese model and actor who shares his name with the spicy-soup chain Zhang Liang Mala Tang (张亮麻辣烫), visited the brand's Shanghai headquarters on October 28, 2026 for a one-day manager experience. During the visit he worked in the back kitchen — preparing bone broth and cutting vegetables — and also handled a range of business and operational tasks alongside staff.
At the end of the day, Zhang proposed that the chain develop a dedicated "Zhang Liang fitness meal set," a suggestion that plays on his public profile as a fitness-focused public figure.
The stunt draws on the long-running coincidence of names between the celebrity and the restaurant brand, turning an informal association into a structured brand moment. By framing the visit as a working immersion rather than a conventional endorsement appearance, the brand generated content centred on authenticity and behind-the-scenes access — formats that tend to perform well on short-video and lifestyle platforms in China.
