Laowang (Wang Lixuan) is an Iraqi food blogger living in China. His restaurant-review videos are simple: walk into a street shop, order noodles or skewers, eat and comment in Chinese, then finish with a heartfelt "ya habibi" — Arabic for "my dear". The sincerity is infectious.
No fancy editing — just honesty. He tastes seriously, praises the shopkeepers, and often gives small restaurants free publicity. Fans say, "Watching Laowang eat makes you hungry." "Ya habibi" became the top bullet-comment meme.
Laowang's rise shows food knows no borders. An Iraqi guy found a taste of home in Chinese street shops — and introduced Chinese food to foreign audiences. "China is my second hometown," he often says.
From Jerry Kowal to Laowang, foreign food bloggers bridge cultures through eating. In the warm steam of street food, prejudice melts — that's what makes food bloggers so powerful.
"Old Wang in China" (Haidar, b. early 1990s), an Iraqi food blogger, became famous for his catchphrase "Ya Habibi" - Arabic for "my friend" - with which he greets Chinese audiences, warm and meme-worthy.
His identity: his real name is Haidar; he comes from Iraq and has lived in China for years, mainly making food videos in Xinjiang and the mainland. He speaks Chinese and always wears a sincere smile on camera.
Why he rose: his videos focus on tasting Chinese food, with the signature opening "Ya Habibi, I am Old Wang" - instantly memorable. He tastes food from across China with genuine expressions and honest comments; audiences find him down-to-earth.
The phenomenon he represents: in recent years more Middle Eastern bloggers are going viral in China - recording China sincerely while showing Chinese audiences real Middle Eastern life. He is a vivid microcosm of Belt-and-Road people-to-people exchange.
Lesson: his rise rests on a sincere greeting and a smile. Imperfect language is fine - sincerity is the most universal language across borders.
A background worth knowing: after the Iraq war, many young people like him came to China seeking new opportunity. They learn Chinese, do e-commerce and make videos, participating in trade and exchange in the plainest ways. His "Ya Habibi" is, in fact, the greeting of an entire generation of Middle Eastern youth to China.
One of his identities is often missed: he also participates in Iran-China trade, occasionally showing Iranian goods circulating in Chinese markets. From food blogger to trade bridge, his story shows grassroots exchange never stops at "eating" - it lives in real business.
A final note: his videos are best watched over a midnight snack - his eating shows and smile pair well with food. If you are also striving abroad, learn from him: one local phrase buys you a group of local friends.
