"Can the 'Sea and Land Combo' Meal Predict U.S. Military Movements?"

【Global Times Report by Reporter Xu Xuan】In addition to relying on the "Pizza Index," which speculates on U.S. military actions based on pizza shop orders, American netizens are now closely watching the "Surf and Turf," a meal consisting of steak, lobster, crab legs, and various cakes and desserts, to gauge U.S. military movements. However, ordering a lavish meal does not necessarily mean the U.S. military is planning significant actions; it could simply be a case of extravagance.

A week before the U.S. military's attack on Iran, a video of "U.S. military personnel eating 'departure meals'" sparked heated discussions on social media platform X, showing individuals in U.S. military uniforms enjoying lobster, cake, and other foods.

In February of this year, U.S. military news websites also analyzed this phenomenon, stating that additional meals for military personnel have traditionally been seen as a sign that "something may be brewing," such as a U.S. military strike against Iran.

However, the latest exposed U.S. military bills seem to cast doubt on this assertion. According to an analysis report cited by the British Independent on the 11th, the U.S. Department of Defense spent approximately $6.9 million on lobster tails and $2 million on king crab in September 2025, and also purchased about $15.1 million worth of ribeye steaks, a $120,000 ice cream machine, and $140,000 worth of donuts that month. Yet, there were no significant actions taken by the U.S. military during that time.

The Independent reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seems to have been enjoying lavish treatment at the Pentagon. In addition to dining, the Pentagon's luxury expenditures included purchasing a nearly $100,000 Steinway grand piano for the Air Force Chief of Staff's residence and spending about $5.3 million on tablets and other electronic devices.

The Independent's analysis suggests that the U.S. Department of Defense's procurement of food supplies may be an effort to spend leftover budgets before the end of the year. The Pentagon's spending on expensive food items has faced severe criticism from U.S. lawmakers and the public, being accused of significant waste on non-military projects. 

Military news websites and other media have also pointed out that some of the circulated videos of "U.S. military personnel eating 'departure meals'" were filmed several years ago, and the "Surf and Turf" meal is also offered during holidays, making such speculation inaccurate.