Tang Huo Kung Fu · 11 Bussorah Street, Singapore
In an era where short-form video transcends every border, no creator commands a larger audience than Khaby Lame. The global internet sensation—TikTok’s most-followed individual with over 162 million followers—recently made a memorable visit to Tang Huo Kung Fu, a Northeast Chinese mala tang restaurant nestled in Singapore’s historic Kampong Glam district.
Born Khabane Lame in Senegal and raised in Italy from the age of one, Khaby began posting on TikTok after losing his factory job during the COVID-19 pandemic. His wordless, deadpan reactions to overly complicated “life hack” videos struck a universal chord, and in June 2022 he overtook Charli D’Amelio to become TikTok’s number-one creator—a title he has held ever since. Today, six of the platform’s 25 most-liked videos of all time belong to him. Often dubbed “the Gen-Z Charlie Chaplin,” Khaby’s influence extends far beyond social media: he serves as a judge on Italia’s Got Talent, holds a multi-year partnership with Hugo Boss, and was named to TIME magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Creators list in July 2025 as one of the world’s most influential digital voices.
During his time in Singapore, Khaby was drawn to Tang Huo Kung Fu on Bussorah Street. The concept of mala tang—where diners handpick their own fresh ingredients and have them cooked to order in a simmering broth—immediately piqued his curiosity. For a creator who has built his career on capturing life’s most engaging moments, this interactive, ritual-like dining experience held a natural appeal.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Khaby was visibly intrigued by the vibrant Northeast Chinese-inspired decor, capturing several clips for his social channels. At the ingredient counter, he studied each option with genuine interest before selecting fresh lamb rolls, handmade shrimp paste, traditional glass noodles, and crispy fried tofu skin, paired with the house-special sesame dipping sauce. Faced with the aromatic, rolling bone broth, he paused for his trademark beat of silence—then gave a definitive thumbs-up. After the meal, Khaby flashed his signature grin and gestured enthusiastically: the flavours had clearly made an impression, and the entire experience was unlike anything he had tried before.
The entire Tang Huo Kung Fu team extends its heartfelt gratitude to Khaby Lame for his visit. When the world’s most-followed digital creator meets one of China’s most soulful culinary traditions, the result is more than a meal—it is a moment of cultural connection that needs no words. In Singapore, a city where the world’s flavours converge, Tang Huo Kung Fu is proud to be a place where friends from every corner of the globe can discover the warmth of Eastern flavours.
Iron Fists and Soulful Broth: UFC Star “Kung Fu Kid” Song Yadong Dines at Tang Huo Kung Fu
Inside the Octagon, he is known as “The Kung Fu Kid”—a striker whose speed and precision have silenced opponents around the world. Away from the cage, Song Yadong is a young man from Northeast China with a deep and abiding love for the flavours of home. During a recent visit to Singapore, the UFC bantamweight contender made a special trip to Tang Huo Kung Fu, a Northeast Chinese mala tang restaurant on Bussorah Street, seeking a bowl of comfort that carries the warmth of his roots.
Born in 1997 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, Song began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 13 and made his professional debut before turning 16. Since signing with the UFC in 2017, he has compiled a career record of 22 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw, rising to number five in the bantamweight rankings—the highest position ever achieved by a Chinese male fighter in UFC history. In February 2025, he defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo by decision, sending shockwaves through the combat sports world. International MMA media have hailed him as Asia’s most gifted martial arts prospect, and his ascent has made him a powerful symbol of Chinese athletic excellence on the global stage.
As a professional athlete operating at the highest level, Song maintains exacting standards when it comes to nutrition. During fight camp, every gram of protein and every unit of carbohydrate intake is carefully calibrated. Mala tang, he has noted, occupies a unique place in his dietary philosophy—it is one of the few meals that satisfies both his nutritional requirements and his palate. Fresh vegetables deliver essential vitamins and fibre, quality meats and tofu products supply protein, the slow-simmered bone broth aids recovery, and capsaicin from the chilli peppers supports metabolic function. In past interviews, he has spoken candidly about how, no matter where his career takes him around the world, a steaming bowl of dongbei mala tang remains the dish he craves most.
At Tang Huo Kung Fu, Song’s approach to the ingredient counter mirrored his fighting style: direct, purposeful, and efficient. He loaded his tray with generous portions of fresh beef slices, quail eggs, broccoli, enoki mushrooms, and handmade fish tofu, requesting a mild-spice broth. “I keep the heat moderate before a fight,” he explained with a grin, “but going completely mild wouldn’t be very Northeast of me.” After finishing his meal, the typically composed fighter broke into an easy smile. “The broth has real depth—it tastes like home. Finding this in Singapore is something special.”
Tang Huo Kung Fu extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Song Yadong for taking the time to visit. The disciplines of fighting and cooking share more than might first appear: both demand resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to craft. Beyond the Octagon, a carefully prepared bowl of mala tang carries within it the same spirit—dedication to quality, reverence for tradition, and respect for every ingredient. Tang Huo Kung Fu is honoured to offer every traveller far from home a bowl of broth that is as nourishing in spirit as it is in substance.
