Since the Reform and Opening(1978), the standard of living in China has improved as the economy has rapidly developed. Changes in income levels with social and demographic changes have brought a major impact on food consumption. The purpose of this study is to identify trends and characteristics of food consumption structure after the reform and opening of China. In particular, the study has focused on analyzing changes in urban and rural households, different income groups and food consumption structure by period. The analysis used data from 1979 to 2012 for about 30 years, such as food consumption and household food consumption expenditure for its target. The utilized analytical method of this study are three methodologies: tabulation analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. First, tabulation analysis was used to identify trends in food consumption by period, by item between urban and rural areas, and by income groups. Second, correlation analysis was used to indirectly identify the substitution and complementary relationships between food items by period, by urban and rural areas, and by income groups. Third, the characteristics of changes in food consumption structure of China by period, by urban and rural items, and income level, were identified through analysis of principal components. According to the results of the study, changes in China's food consumption structure are characterized by a decrease in consumption of grains and vegetables, and by a increase in consumption of eggs, aquatic products, fruits and pork. According to the results of the correlation analysis, in the case of city residents, traditional food items such as grains were replaced with animal protein items. However, in rural areas, it was analyzed that there was no specific substitution relationship or complementary relationship between food items. According to the results of principal component analysis by urban and rural household, income level, and period, it is revealed that the food consumption structure of Chinese urban households is beginning to be diversified and to trend toward nutritional intake, food safety, and health concerns. However, rural household food consumption structure did not have any statistical significance to derive any specific characteristics. This is probably because rural areas still lack sufficient levels in food consumption quantity, which is a survival-oriented consumption pattern. In addition, no statistically significant results were not derived due to constraints of data in connection to rural area that allowed for more explicit analysis.