On Thursday evening, Huaiyang cuisine, one of China’s eight major culinary traditions, took center stage at the lavish state banquet President Xi Jinping hosted for U.S. President Donald Trump. The menu reportedly included Peking duck, often regarded as a national dish, as well as crispy beef — an apparent nod to Trump’s preference for well-done steak. Huaiyang cuisine, which originated in the region around Shanghai, is known for its light, delicate flavors, refined knife work and emphasis on seasonal ingredients
Gallery: Huaiyang Cuisine Takes Center Stage at Trump Banquet
May. 15, 2026
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Staff prepared for a state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. Photo: Evan Vucci/IC Photo
Dishes served at a banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in Beijing. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/VCG
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