California Beef Noodle King

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Storefront of a California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. restaurant in Shenyang, China
Storefront of a California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. restaurant in Shenyang, China

California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. (Simplified Chinese: 美国加州牛肉面大王; Hanyu Pinyin: měi guó jiā zhōu niú ròu miàn dà wáng) is a popular fast-food chain in mainland China, specializing in beef noodle soup and other Chinese-style fast food. Despite its name, California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. does not serve American food, nor does it have restaurants in California or the U.S.

The first franchise was opened in Beijing in 1988 by a Californian Chinese-American, "Mr. Lee." Mr. Lee's face can be seen as part of the California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. logo, in a Colonel Sanders-esque rendering. Today, franchises are present in many major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Nanjing, Tianjin, Harbin, Qingdao, and Shenyang.[1] There are 100 restaurants nation wide, as well as 15 in east China.[2] Currently it competes with foreign franchises such as KFC and McDonald's with lower prices and a greater appeal towards Chinese tastes.[3]

Popular items on the menu include the original beef noodle soup, made from a unique recipe; and California Chicken, a cold dish dressed with red and green sauce. It also offers other Chinese staples such as wontons and dumplings.

[edit] References

  1. ^ California Beef Noodle King U.S.A. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
  2. ^ Fast-Food Restaurants: Just What Eastern China's Consumers Ordered. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
  3. ^ Caldwell, Melissa L.; Watson, James D. (2005). The Cultural Politics of Food and Eating: A Reader. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Pub, 83. ISBN 0-631-23093-9.