US4 min(s) read
Published 15:39 15 May 2026 GMT
Donald Trump's state visit to China included military ceremonies, high-stakes talks with President Xi Jinping, and a multi-course banquet inside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
But despite the warm welcome, the 79-year-old president reportedly faced one major challenge during the evening: being served food he is famously not fond of.
The US president attended the grand state dinner on Thursday (May 14) as part of his first trip to China since 2017.
He was joined by senior members of his administration, such as Marco Rubio, along with billionaire business leaders and CEOs traveling with the US delegation.
According to reports, the menu featured several dishes that may not have perfectly suited Trump’s specific eating habits, including a serving of stewed seasonal vegetables.
The meal included: lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, Beijing roast duck, slow-cooked salmon in mustard sauce, pan-fried pork buns, and seasonal vegetables, per The Independent.
Dessert options included tiramisu, fruit, ice cream, and a trumpet-shaped pastry.
While the meal showcased traditional Chinese state dining and Huaiyang cuisine, which is known for its fine flavors and seasonal ingredients, Trump is more comfortable with classic American comfort food.
The New York Times reported that the president prefers burgers, fries, and steak over lighter dishes and vegetables.
It's also been claimed that while Trump is not entirely against vegetables, he likes them heavily covered in Caesar salad dressing.
Furthermore, it's also been revealed that Ice cream is one of his favorite foods.
The 79-year-old's eating habits have become almost as famous as his political career over the years.
The president is well known for his love of Diet Coke and McDonald’s meals, which have led to repeated questions about his health and nutrition.
Back in 2020, Trump’s former White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, disclosed that staff had secretly added cauliflower to the president’s mashed potatoes in an effort to improve his diet.
"We were working on his diet. We were making the ice cream less accessible," Jackson told NYT.
Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski also claimed Trump would sometimes go "14 to 16 hours without eating" before eating two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, and a small chocolate shake during the 2016 campaign.
Even Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently commented on Trump’s eating habits during a podcast appearance. "I don’t know how he’s alive," he joked to Katie Miller.
Unlike China’s traditional state banquet, other countries have previously adjusted menus to better suit Trump’s preferences during diplomatic visits.
During a 2017 trip to Japan, late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly served Trump an all-American burger lunch made with imported US beef and accompanied by Heinz ketchup and mustard.
"I welcome President Donald J Trump most wholeheartedly on his visit to Japan! We're getting down to business right away over hamburgers for our working lunch," a message from the Japanese prime minister’s office said at the time.
Trump has also attended several lavish state dinners in recent years, including a royal banquet during his UK visit in 2025 featuring dishes such as Hampshire watercress panna cotta, Norfolk chicken ballotine, and vanilla ice cream bombe with raspberry sorbet.
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