A restaurant in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China, has drawn widespread attention and criticism for offering customers the opportunity to cuddle lion cubs alongside a four-course afternoon tea. The establishment's unique service has sparked concern from animal welfare groups and the public, who argue that close contact between people and wild animals poses risks and violates regulations. Authorities have launched an investigation into the restaurant for breaching permit conditions that prohibit such interactions. Despite the backlash, the restaurant maintains that the lion cubs are well cared for. The controversy has been widely reported across international media, highlighting the tension between novel dining experiences and animal protection standards in China.