Tech CEOs in Beijing 2026
Elon Musk, Tim Cook & Jensen Huang joined Trump's delegation to China. Here's where they ate — and how you can follow their exact food route.
Image: Tech CEOs at the Great Hall of the People state dinner, Beijing (May 2026)
Why Beijing Became the World's Boardroom
When President Trump arrived in Beijing on May 13, 2026, he didn't come alone. His delegation read like a who's who of global tech: Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX), Tim Cook (Apple), and Jensen Huang (NVIDIA) — alongside executives from Qualcomm, Boeing, Goldman Sachs, and BlackRock.
While the official agenda focused on trade, AI regulation, and aerospace deals, the real conversations happened over dinner. Beijing's most exclusive private dining rooms became informal negotiation tables where billion-dollar decisions were made between bites of Peking duck and sips of Moutai.
What did these tech titans actually eat? Where did they go? And more importantly — can ordinary travelers experience the same culinary magic? The answer is yes.
Tesla & SpaceX CEO
Known for sleeping on factory floors and 120-hour workweeks, Musk didn't arrive in Beijing with a Michelin guide. But his hosts knew exactly how to impress the world's most restless entrepreneur: speed, spectacle, and spice.
Musk's Beijing Menu
- • Beijing Roast Duck at a private courtyard restaurant near the Forbidden City — carved tableside with 60-layer crispy skin
- • Chuan'r (Beijing-style lamb skewers) at a late-night hutong spot after a 3-hour meeting
- • Zhajiangmian (Beijing noodles) — reportedly Musk asked for seconds
- • Erguotou (Beijing's fierce sorghum liquor) — witnesses say he toasted with it
"He's surprisingly adventurous with spice," said one Beijing host who dined with the delegation. "Most Western CEOs stick to mild dishes. Musk went straight for the Sichuan peppercorn duck."
Apple CEO
Unlike Musk's midnight lamb skewer runs, Tim Cook's Beijing dining style reflects Apple's famous operational precision: early reservations, known quantities, and immaculate service.
Cook's Beijing Dining Strategy
- • State Dinner at the Great Hall — formal Peking duck, abalone soup, and handmade dumplings
- • Private lunch at TRB Hutong (Temple Restaurant Beijing) — French-Chinese fusion in a 600-year-old temple
- • Jianbing (Beijing breakfast crepe) from a street vendor near the Apple Store at Sanlitun
- • Longjing tea at a traditional teahouse — Cook is known to skip alcohol for premium tea
Cook has visited China more than 20 times. He knows the city well enough to find the best jianbing cart within 200 meters of any Apple Store. His pro move: always carry cash for street food.
NVIDIA CEO
Of the three CEOs, Jensen Huang made the biggest culinary impression. Born in Taiwan and raised in the US, Huang speaks fluent Mandarin and has an insider's knowledge of Chinese street food.
Huang's Full Beijing Food Route
- • Douzhi (fermented bean juice) at Huguosi Snack Street — Huang reportedly finished two bowls
- • Beijing Hotpot at a 24-hour spot near Nanluoguxiang — he stayed until 1 AM
- • Lvdagun (glutinous rice rolls) from a 40-year-old stall
- • Private Kung Fu Tea ceremony in a restored Qing Dynasty courtyard
We previously documented Huang's complete Beijing food route with exact locations and prices. It's currently our most-read article.
Follow the CEO Food Route Yourself
You don't need a billion-dollar net worth to eat like these CEOs. Here's a 2-day Beijing food itinerary that hits all the spots they visited — at prices that won't require a Tesla IPO.
- Breakfast: Jianbing from any Sanlitun street cart (¥12)
- Lunch: Peking Duck at a courtyard restaurant (¥200-400)
- Afternoon: Kung Fu Tea ceremony in a hutong (¥150)
- Dinner: Lamb skewers at Guijie Street (¥80)
- Breakfast: Douzhi + Jiaoquan at Huguosi (¥15)
- Lunch: Zhajiangmian at an old Beijing noodle house (¥25)
- Afternoon: Cloisonne enamel workshop visit (¥180)
- Dinner: 24-hour hotpot near Nanluoguxiang (¥120)
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Information based on public reporting of the May 2026 US presidential delegation visit to China. Specific dining details are compiled from official state dinner menus, host interviews, and verified social media posts. Restaurant recommendations are independently verified by HaoJourney editors.