Have similar experiences (airport refreshments) from Yantai and Nanjing among other places. In the former a few tables set up in a corner, disinterested service and a TV set blaring over it all.

As a contrast, some of the CRH train stations are, after being overhauled, not bad at all regarding their food and beverages offerings. Nanjing South still the best I've seen in China but for example Xuzhou is also quite satisfying.