President Donald Trump is returning to the White House after a trip to Asia — and he's facing ridicule over the "kids' menu" choices his hosts offered him while visiting.
The president's culinary preferences – fast food, well-done steaks and spaghetti – are well known, and his Asian hosts attempted to strike a balance between regional specialties and his Americanized tastes, according to the New York Times.
"The lunch he shared with President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and business leaders on Wednesday was summed up by Mr. Lee’s office as 'fusion Korean cuisine featuring regional specialties from across the nation and tailored to President Trump’s preferences,'" the Times reported.
"The White House picked up on the gesture, calling the Thousand Island dressing, tossed with South Korean shrimps, scallops and abalone, 'a nod to Trump’s New York roots,'" the report added. "It appeared to be his preferred dressing. He also had the condiment, which hails from near the border between New York and Ontario, the night before in Tokyo at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence."
The South Koreans also served braised short ribs made with U.S. beef, along with kimchi and other traditional sides, but also served beef patties with ketchup and brownies decorated with what Lee's office described as "the color of gold that President Trump favors.”
The president's tastes drew mockery online.
"Alito writes for the 6-3 majority, ruling that there’s nothing in the Constitution that says a 79-year-old can’t order off the kids’ menu," joked Seth Michaels, of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"The ketchup banchan is destroying me," said Sarah Jeong, editor of The Verge.
"When 'Can we have a trade deal?' pivots on 'Do you have a kids menu?'" posted freelance writer Tabatha Southey.
"I am married to a Korean-American," added attorney Bradley Moss. "My kids have been raised eating standard American fare, Jewish deli food, and Korean delicacies. The absurdity of this menu to handhold Trump is something else."
"South Korea gave Trump a literal crown and mini beef patties with ketchup hahahaha," said freelance journalist Laura Bassett.
"How embarrassing for all involved," sighed journalist Sarah Posner.