As Trump Dined On Chinese Delicacies With Xi, Press Got McDonald’s Served In Vans

Last Updated:May 15, 2026, 12:52 IST

Trump and Xi were served an expansive menu featuring both seafood and traditional Chinese dishes, White House reporters travelling with Trump were served McDonald's.

Trump China Visit: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday hosted his US counterpart, Donald Trump, for the second day of talks at Zhongnanhai, the heavily guarded compound that serves as the political nerve centre of China’s Communist leadership.

Both leaders also shared an elaborate working lunch on the second day of talks, which began with a friendship photo and tea meeting.

Meanwhile, Trump and Xi were served an expansive menu featuring both seafood and traditional Chinese dishes, White House reporters travelling with Trump were served the favourites of the US President— McDonald’s— outside the heavily guarded complex.

What’s Was The Menu?

According to the White House, Trump was served a menu that appeared carefully curated for his selective food preferences.

The lunch included minced codfish in seafood soup, crispy stir-fried lobster balls, pan-seared beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, kung pao chicken with scallops, braised seasonal vegetables, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, and stewed beef in a bun.

Dessert included chocolate brownies, fruit and ice cream, along with coffee and tea.

Meanwhile, White House staff, US Embassy aides and members of the travelling press pool remained outside the compound, where McDonald’s meals — long associated with Trump’s personal food preferences — were delivered to waiting vans and eaten in a parking area.

Trump is well known for his fondness for fast food, steaks and diet soda. Over the years, Trump has frequently spoken about his preference for meals from major fast-food chains. Trump’s fondness for McDonald’s has long been part of his public persona, from campaign trail stops to fast-food spreads served during his first presidency.

During his first presidential term, he often served fast food at White House events, including burgers, fries and pizza for visiting sports teams. Trump has said he prefers fast food partly because of its consistency and cleanliness standards.

He has also been described as a picky eater who generally avoids heavily seasoned dishes, sushi and unfamiliar fine dining options. Trump’s preference for well-done steak served with ketchup has frequently attracted attention during official events and state visits.

Before lunch, Xi personally escorted Trump through the historic gardens of Zhongnanhai, pointing out centuries-old trees and describing the compound’s importance in modern Chinese political history. Xi noted that former Chinese leaders including Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai had lived there.

The meeting inside Zhongnanhai was itself notable, as the walled compound – headquarters of China’s ruling Communist Party – is rarely opened to foreign leaders.

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