There are 1.34 billion mouths to feed in China, and that means big opportunity in a country where some local brands have suffered a series of food scares.

Restaurateurs and specialty food retailers from abroad are winning big by targeting premium products to expats as well as China's growing middle and upper classes.

Still, prime supermarket shelf space is expensive, and companies have to build brand recognition, said China Market Research analyst Ben Cavender.

Some of the biggest industry players are already in on the trend. U.S.-based Yum! Brands (YUM), which operates KFC and Pizza Hut, continues to invest in China, even purchasing a local hot pot restaurant chain in 2011. Last year, China accounted for 42% of Yum's profit growth.

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