Whether you're already in China or still planning the trip, one rule outlasts every guidebook: you need a food delivery app. In a country where online delivery has become an integral part of everyday life, platforms like Meituan and Taobao Flash Shopping make it easy to have meals, groceries, and a wide range of other products delivered directly to your door.
Master food delivery, and you'll never go hungry in China.
on my third night in a new city, it was raining and i had no umbrella, i opened Meituan, ordered a noodle bowl for ¥22, and watched the rider's dot crawl to my door in 28 minutes. honestly, that small relief is why i put this app on every visitor's phone before they land.
Both Meituan and Taobao Flash Shopping accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Digital RMB. Make sure you have at least one set up with a bound card. See our guides to paying with WeChat Pay and topping up Alipay if you haven't.
Food Delivery
Online delivery has become an integral part of everyday life in China, with platforms such as Meituan and Taobao Flash Shopping making it easy to have meals, groceries, and a wide range of other products delivered directly to your door.
1. Order with Meituan
Meituan (美团) is China's leading platform for food delivery, groceries, and lifestyle services. Its app is in Chinese, but the ordering process is straightforward once you know the key buttons.
Create an account. After downloading and opening the Meituan app, tap "登录/注册" (log in/register) and enter your phone number. Tap "获取短信验证码" to receive a 6-digit SMS verification code. Enter the code, and your account is created, no separate password needed.
Place an order.
-
Open the delivery tab, Tap "外卖" (Food Delivery) on the home page to see a list of restaurants near you. Browse or use the search bar to find a specific restaurant.
-
Add items to your cart, Select a restaurant, browse its menu, and tap items to add them to your cart.
-
Review and submit, Review your order details. If everything looks correct, tap "提交订单" (Submit Order). Meituan will ask whether you need cutlery, select "No cutlery needed" to help protect the environment.
-
Pay, Choose your payment method: Alipay, WeChat Pay, or Digital RMB wallet. The app will provide updates on expected wait times and driver tracking. Just sit back and wait for your meal!
it is not always as quick as the demo. at lunch or dinner rush, a 30 minute estimate can stretch to an hour, and the app quietly defaults to "need cutlery", so tap "no cutlery" if you don't. my first order stalled because my building name was vague, i was a little annoyed, the rider called, and we met at the gate, since then i save the exact entrance in my address book.
2. Order with Taobao Flash Shopping
Taobao Flash Shopping (淘宝闪购) is another popular option, especially if you already use Taobao. Many restaurants popular among expats are foreigner-friendly and include English translations. If not, photos on the menus help, and you can always use a translation app.
- Download and set up, Download the Taobao app, open it, and enable location settings so it can show nearby restaurants. Register an account before placing an order.
-
Pick a restaurant, Tap the restaurant you want, or scroll down to find something you might be in the mood for. Many foreigner-friendly restaurants include English translations.
- Confirm and pay, Once you've made your selection, tap the orange button at the bottom that says "立即支付" (Pay Now) to confirm the order and make the payment.
-
Enter your address, Fill in your address, contact person's name, and phone number. Make sure the address is detailed, road, building, and floor or flat number. You can save multiple addresses (home, workplace, school).
-
Leave a note (optional), In the "订单备注" (Order Notes) section, leave a brief message for the restaurant (e.g., "need more sauce" or "don't make it too spicy") or for the delivery rider (e.g., "leave the food on the doorstep").
beyond the meal itself, the apps do more than you'd expect. Meituan also delivers groceries (美团买菜), medicine, and even runs errands (跑腿), while new-user coupons (红包) often knock ¥5 to ¥10 off your first order. a casual meal runs ¥18 to ¥35, delivery is usually ¥3 to ¥5 but free above about ¥30, and a ¥15 monthly membership (会员) waives most of those fees.
Common questions about food delivery in China
Do I need to read Chinese to order food in China?
No. Many restaurants popular among expats include English translations. For those that don't, photos on the menus help, and a translation app like Baidu Translate can handle the rest.
Which food delivery app should I use, Meituan or Taobao Flash?
Both work well. Meituan has a wider restaurant selection and is the market leader. Taobao Flash is convenient if you already use Taobao for shopping. Try both and see which has better options near you.
How long does food delivery take in China?
Most food deliveries arrive within 30–45 minutes. The app shows an estimated delivery time when you place your order, and you can track the rider's location in real time. At the lunch or dinner rush, though, a 30 minute estimate can stretch to an hour.
How much does food delivery cost in China?
Delivery runs about ¥3 to ¥5, and it's usually free above roughly ¥30. A casual meal costs ¥18 to ¥35. If you order often, the ¥15 monthly membership (会员) waives most of those delivery fees.
Can I pay for food delivery with a foreign card?
Not directly, payment goes through Alipay or WeChat Pay (Meituan also offers a Digital RMB wallet). Bind your foreign card to one of those two wallets first, and the order settles from it.
Can I order groceries, not just meals?
Yes. Both Meituan and Taobao Flash offer grocery delivery (超市便利) alongside food. You can also order medicine, flowers, and other everyday items, and Meituan runs errands (跑腿) too.
What if my order is wrong or late?
Go to "My Orders" in the app, find the order, and tap "Refund" (退款) or contact customer service. Most platforms have buyer protection and resolve issues quickly.