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# Western food in China is better than in the West
- URL: https://larrysalibra.com/western-food-in-china-is-better-than-in-the-west/
- Published: 2026-10-12T14:13:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T15:51:50.000Z
- Author: Larry Salibra
- Tags: china, food, day-95, daily

Two and a half decades ago when I first visited China and the Chinese mainland, the Western-food situation was bleak. Besides a few famous Western-owned global food chains and international hotels, white (or black or brown)-person food was not wildly available, and when it was, usually not good. Anyone who remembers the "food" served at the chain "上岛咖啡" will know what I'm talking about.

I'm happy to report that the situation has entirely changed. Thanks to a vast improvement in economic circumstances, food supply chains and the much improved taste of frequently well-traveled urban middle class and elites, Western food is much more widely available and often very good.

I think we're at the point now where one can say the quality of Western food in tier 1 and 2 Chinese cities is much better than what the average American eats in the national chain restaurants and Sysco-slop supplied mom and pop shops. The ingredients are fresher, they taste better and the people doing the preparation and serving are more competent and much more likely to not be on drugs. It also costs a lot less.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/74/e474b4cb-cbee-4c30-844d-ae523b708967/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-12-at-9.56.34---PM.png)

Sysco is the world's largest distributor of food and is why the food in so many "independent" American restaurants tastes exactly the same.

There are lots of examples I could give around this, such as the new Sicilian restaurant I enjoyed last month in a sleepy Zhuhai neighbor run by local chef who got his training at Michelin star restaurants in Macau and Shanghai. The food was amazing and better than 90% of the food I've eaten in actual Italy and Sicily. The chef spent a lot of time with us and insisted we do an olive oil taste test to compare his favorite italian olive oils with his favorite Chinese olive oil. The cost of dinner for three people including desserts (plural): 358 CNY (less than US$54 at today's exchange rates).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/74/e474b4cb-cbee-4c30-844d-ae523b708967/content/images/2026/10/IMG_3532-2.jpeg)

Italian olive oil makers need to watch out, China has entered the market! The Italian olive oils taste better for now...but for how much longer?

Tonight, I am writing this in Shenzhen at a popular homegrown western chain, Gaga, where I just finished an absolutely delicious and healthy glazed salmon & kale poké bowl with a side of focaccia bread and a strawberry oolong tea. Total cost, 71.8 CNY or less than US$11.

Are there (much) better Western restaurants in certain areas of the US? Absolutely! The problem is that they're very much the exception and not the rule and just the tip on your meal will cost more than the entire meal here.