Indeed, the acquisition highlights what could be growing interest in American food by Chinese consumers.

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Unfortunately, though this year's grain crop was up 5% over last year's, North Korea is now more dependent on foreign (mostly American, Chinese and South Korean) food aid than ever.

ECONOMIST: Japan and North Korea: Sympathy and tea | The

"I spent a lot of time studying American fast-food merchandising and had heard how Chinese and Russians lined up for hours just to get their first McDonald's hamburgers, " says Oshima.

FORBES: "Everyone said I would fail"

The fire at the facility in Jilin province came as American regulators and consumers begin to scrutinize a bid by Chinese food company Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. to buy U.S. pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc.

WSJ: Poultry-Plant Fire in China Kills More Than 100

In fact, we have observed that Chinese consumers tend to return to local food fare after trying American fast food.

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While many Chinese students spend their time in the U.S. buried in their books, and hanging out with other Chinese students, Ms. Lu appeared to embrace American culture, including its food, its art and its sports.

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Moreover, the Saudis are also now buying more Chinese goods mostly food, textiles, hardware and heavy industrial stuff than American ones.

ECONOMIST: The Saudis are hedging their bets

Similarly, the food offered at Tokyo Disneyland is noticeably different from the US, infusing both Chinese and American flavours with Japanese cuisine.

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Though Mr. Yoon, 42, is often identified as a Korean-American chef along with peers David Chang and Roy Choi, he'll be cooking Chinese and Southeast Asian food, heavy on what he calls his "pet ingredient": Sichuan peppercorns.

WSJ: Chef Sang Yoon | In My Kitchen