Over the years, researchers and industry experts have shown growing interest in human-machine interaction within the customized food sector. A narrative inquiry approach was employed to understand how 16 Chinese participants across various age groups perceive traditional food trucks and the potential applications of a 3D-printed food robot. Results highlighted major limitations of traditional food trucks, including poor space usage, lack of service adaptability, insufficient food transparency, and unmet health-focused needs. Conversely, robots demonstrated distinct advantages, such as customization, real-time transparency [1], and operational efficiency. These findings underline the importance of user-centered design in shaping future intelligent dining solutions.