“What do they call Chinese food in China?” is an old joke query. The answer is “food.” The background to the joke is that Americanized Chinese food is very different than the food usually eaten in China.
 
“In China, Chinese food is called ‘food’” amd “Hey, what do they call Chinese food in China?” both date to at least 2002. The joke is also used—less frequently—involving Mexican food in Mexico and Italian food in Italy.
 
 
Yahoo! Answers
What do they call Chinese Food in China?
Do they just say, ‘Here’s some of that food that we always eat all the time’.
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Food. (In Chinese of course.)
     
13x Forums
Luckystrike
06-17-2002, 10:23 AM
In China.. Chinese food is called “food”
     
MTGnews.com Forums
Fear Mage
07-08-02, 22:05
Hey, what do they call chinese food in china?
               
Automags.Org Online Forum
dansim
05-09-2003, 04:25 PM
do people in china….
call chinese food, chinese food?
do they go out and say “we are going out for chinese food wanna go?”
or do they just order in some food….
same goes with italians
 
RateDesi Forums
reaz
May 26th, 2004, 03:14 PM
do you know what the they call chinese food in china?
nb: yea the chinese food we eat here is very unlike the food they eat in china.. it’s been changed a bit to suit the tastes of the American public..
 
Google Books
Rivals on the waves
By Stephen D Smith and Lise Caldwell
Cincinnati, OH: Standard Pub.
2005
Pg. 48:
“What do they call Chinese food in China?”
Before he could speak, Kelly shouted, “Food!” Everyone laughed. It was a goofy family joke, and they loved it.
   
The Loveline Companion
cab-merlot
Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 5:02 PM
Do they call chinese food ...just food?
     
Heathen Hangout
retrow
16-Oct-2006, 12:33 AM (00:33)
I guess out there they are just called steakhouses ...teehee, just like in China, Chinese food is called ‘food’.
     
The Smoakhouse Forums
Fivehead
Jul 3 2007, 12:19 PM
You know what they call Mexican food in Mexico?
Food.
   
San Mateo (CA) Daily Journal
Beyond beef and broccoli
July 09, 2008, 12:00 AM By Ted Anthony
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Just off two interstate highways north of Pittsburgh, behind the Bed Bath & Beyond and directly next door to Panera Bread, sits a nondescript storefront called the Dynasty International Buffet.
(...)
The old joke goes like this: What do you call Chinese food in China? “Food.” But behind the punchline is an important notion: “Real” Chinese food is a compelling crazy-quilt of cuisines as diverse as the world’s most populous nation itself. Your taste buds will never be bored.