2011年，在北京访问期间，拜登副总统在老北京的钟鼓楼附近品尝了猪肉包子、炸酱面和黄瓜。与副总统共同进餐的，除了数十名惊诧不已的本地人，还有新上任的美国驻华大使骆家辉和他的妻子李蒙，以及随同副总统一同访问亚洲的他的儿媳Kathleen和孙女Naomi。当时的媒体还为此创造了“面条外交” 的雅致术语。

During his trip to Beijing, Vice President Biden stopped off at the Drum and Bell Tower neighborhood in Old Beijing for a meal of pork buns, zhajiang noodles and cucumbers. Joining the Vice President at lunch—along with dozens of surprised locals—were newly installed U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and his wife Mona, as well as the Vice President’s daughter-in-law Kathleen and granddaughter Naomi who were traveling with him through Asia. Press at the time coined the tasteful term "noodle diplomacy."

Watch a video of VP Biden’s visit here:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/19/watch-vice-president-joe-biden-has-lunch-snack-shop-beijing