Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's China state banquet menu has garnered much attention online.
From Beijing Roast Duck to Fried Pork Buns: Trump's Extravagant Chinese State Banquet Menu Revealed
President Donald Trump recently concluded three-day trip to China, where he met the country's President Xi Jinping in order to discuss a number of issues including trade and global conflicts.
This marked the president's first visit to China since 2017.
During the high-profile visit, Jinping hosted Trump at a state banquet featuring Huaiyang cuisine, while top U.S. and Chinese staffers, along with the press were served McDonald's for lunch, according to reports.
Chinese Flavors With International Cuisines
Xi Jinping organized an extravagant state banquet for Donald Trump and other U.S. officials.
According to Metro, the Chinese president organized a state banquet in which most dishes were sourced from the Huaiyang region, known for its light seasoning and balanced flavors.
As a result, Chinese officials usually consider Huaiyang dishes as an ideal lunch or dinner choice during visits by foreign leaders.
The White House stated that the menu blended Chinese flavors with international cuisines.
Notable dishes included Beijing roast duck, crispy beef ribs, lobster in tomato soup and slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce.
Desserts and sides featured fried pork buns, trumpet shell-shaped pastries, tiramisu and fruits with ice cream.
An X post on the menu for the state banquet hosted by Xi Jinping for Donald Trump.
Reportedly, Trump was also served Huaiyang dishes during his 2017 visit to China.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously stated that Trump "loves McDonald's hamburgers and French fries" and has a preference for pink Starburst and Tootsie Rolls.
She had also revealed that the president has a sweet tooth and eats “a good amount of candy.”
According to the New York Post, top officials distributed bags of McDonald's — containing Big Macs and chicken sandwiches — to U.S. and Chinese staffers and members of the press for lunch.
White House correspondent Danny Kemp shared the full state banquet menu on X: Minced codfish in seafood soup, crispy and stir-fried lobster balls, pan-seared beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, kung pao chicken and scallops, braised seasonal greens with bamboo shoots and mushrooms, stewed beef in a bun, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, chocolate brownie, fruits and ice cream, and coffee or tea.
'They Should Have Got Him McDonald's and Diet Coke'
The extravagant banquet menu drew varied reactions on social media.
Oner user commented, “Lobster balls? Christ, I’d just want the brownies too.”
Another user joked, “China does diplomacy like this: lobster, dumplings, kung pao chicken, perfect table setting… then quietly adds brownies and ice cream because they know exactly who’s sitting across the table.”
“They should have got him McDonald's and diet coke, and he would have been happy.,” one user added.
An individual stated, “From experience McDonalds in China still hits the spot.”
“Xi really served a five-star fusion feast just for Trump to be like, 'Okay, but where’s the sundae?’ Some things never change. Lol,” one user stated.
“Wonder what Trump will like on that menu? Lobster in Tomato soup....I do not think so,” noted another.