Nvidia's Jensen Huang visits Shanghai market ahead of Lunar New Year, gives out extra cash to shopkeeper

Footage of Huang’s market visit circulated online, contributing to growing public interest.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang was seen visiting a wet market in Shanghai last week, where he purchased street snacks worth 65 yuan (approximately US$9) and gave the stall owner a Lunar New Year red packet containing 600 yuan (around US$90), according to Chinese media reports.

Huang’s visit to the market later became widely discussed on mainland Chinese social media, with users commenting on his informal manner and interactions with local vendors.

As part of his annual routine ahead of the Lunar New Year, Huang travels to Nvidia’s offices in mainland China before continuing on to Taiwan. On Saturday, Huang arrived near Jinde Market in Shanghai’s Lujiazui district with several accompanying staff members, parking his vehicle nearby before entering the market area.

His first stop was a small stall named Haohao Chestnuts King, located close to the market entrance. There, Huang selected chestnuts and candied hawthorn. Payment of 65 yuan was completed via QR code by a member of his team.

Huang then presented the shop owner, identified by the surname Xu, with a Lunar New Year lai see. The red packet featured the Chinese character for Huang’s surname on the front, while Huang signed his English name on the reverse. Xu later stated on social media that the packet contained 600 yuan in cash, according to a report by Jimu News.

“I did not recognise him at first. Many people gathered around and took pictures of him, then I realised he was Huang Renxun,” Xu was quoted as saying.

Xu added that following Huang’s purchase, the stall attracted increased attention. “After Huang bought the items, many customers came to photograph my shop and bought goods similar to those bought by Huang,” Xu said.

Huang continued walking through the market, where he purchased cakes and fruit at other stalls. He was also seen handing out Lunar New Year red packets to several additional vendors.

Footage of Huang’s market visit circulated online, contributing to growing public interest. Separately, during Nvidia’s annual company dinner, Huang was recorded distributing a basket of oranges to employees. In the video, he told staff members: “I bought this at the market today.”

A social media user operating under the name Limuzi 88 shared a video of Huang at the market, which received more than 340,000 likes. In her post, she wrote: “I am so, so thrilled. I came across the AI Godfather, boss of Nvidia, Jensen Huang, in a wet market.”

She added: “I hope his good luck with wealth can spread to me. The Godfather is very kind and friendly.”

Online reactions also included light-hearted commentary from other users. One internet user remarked: “That fruit shop should hang up a banner saying ‘selected by Jensen Huang’.”