Dylan Wang's Used Noodle Bowl Becomes a Tourist Attraction in Xi'an

Too Far or Just Smart? Dylan Wang’s Used Tableware Turned Tourist Attraction in a Noodle Shop in Xi’an (World Journal)

Dylan Wang a.k.a Wang Hedi never asked to become part of a museum exhibit—but here we are. The Chinese heartthrob, best known for his fantasy turns in Love Between Fairy and Devil and Guardians of the Dafeng, found himself unexpectedly back in the headlines this week… because of a bowl of noodles and a pair of chopsticks.

A small noodle shop in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, recently went viral for displaying the actual bowl and chopsticks Dylan Wang used during a low-key visit back in 2023. Enshrined in a glass case and labelled “Dylan Wang’s Bowl and Chopsticks”, the exhibit quickly became a check-in hotspot for diehard fans—who came for the noodles but stayed for the shrine.

Photos of fans posing next to the display began circulating online, with some calling it a “pilgrimage site” for Wang stans. Others applauded the shop’s hustle, saying it was a genius marketing move capitalising on Dylan’s star power. “Smart move,” one fan commented. “If I owned the place, I’d probably frame the receipt too.”

But not everyone was feeling the noodle nostalgia. Quite a few netizens pushed back hard, calling the whole thing “fanatical” and “a bit much.” One unimpressed commenter wrote, “Turning used tableware into a tourist spot? That’s just weird.” Another said, “It’s giving sasaeng energy, honestly.”

Caught in the crossfire was the shop’s owner, Mr Jia, who admitted he only set it up after fans kept asking about Dylan’s visit. “It wasn’t supposed to be that deep,” he told World Journal. “I just wanted to make the fans happy. But I don’t want it to cause any bad impression for Dylan Wang either.”

After the backlash picked up steam, Mr Jia made the call to take the display down entirely.

Meanwhile, Dylan Wang himself hasn’t commented publicly on the situation—but honestly, would you?

Still, it’s no surprise that something so ordinary could become a mini-sensation. Dylan Wang’s popularity has been riding high ever since Fairy and Devil melted hearts across the internet. His more recent role in the historical drama Guardians of the Dafeng only pushed the hype further.

That said, his rise hasn’t come without bumps. His attempt to branch out into music got mixed reviews—especially after a performance of Jay Chou’s Confession Balloon on a variety show went a bit off-key. Critics didn’t hold back, saying his pitch was all over the place. But Dylan stuck to his guns and later dropped a single, Tango by the Sea. While some praised the track’s vibe, others reckoned it sounded more studio-filtered than heartfelt.

Regardless of the ups and downs, one thing’s for sure: Dylan Wang has got serious hold over his fans. Even a used soup spoon seems to have emotional currency these days. Fame is weird like that.

So whether you think it’s wholesome, hilarious, or downright over-the-top, the Great Xi’an Noodle Display of 2025 just proves that in the age of celebrity, no detail is too small—and no bowl too plain—to become part of the story.

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