How to Order Food Delivery in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
China has the world's largest food delivery market — over 550 million people use it. Most orders arrive in under 30 minutes, costs are incredibly low (a full meal delivered for ¥15-30), and the selection is enormous. Once you figure out how to order, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The two major platforms are Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么). This guide walks you through both.
In this guide
The Easiest Way: WeChat/Alipay Mini Programs
Here's the secret most guides miss: don't download the standalone apps first. Instead, use the Mini Program versions inside WeChat or Alipay.
→ No separate registration — it uses your existing WeChat/Alipay account
→ Built-in translation — tap the ⋯ menu → Translate
→ Automatic payment — through your already-linked international card
→ No Chinese phone number required for the Mini Program
How to access:
Open WeChat or Alipay
Search for "美团外卖" (Meituan food delivery) or "饿了么" (Ele.me)
Open the Mini Program
Allow location access
Start browsing restaurants
Setting Up Your Delivery Address
This is the most important step. A wrong address means no food.
Go to your profile → Address Book → Add New Address
Use Chinese characters for your address — English addresses won't work for delivery drivers
The easiest method: ask your hotel front desk or landlord to type your address in Chinese, then copy-paste it
Alternative: use Amap (Gaode Maps) to pin your location and copy the Chinese address
Tip: Add specific instructions like your building number, floor, and room number. Drivers will call when they arrive, but detailed address info reduces confusion.
How to Order
Browse restaurants — the app shows nearby options sorted by rating, delivery time, and distance
Look at the photos — most restaurants include dish photos, incredibly helpful when you can't read the menu
Check ratings — restaurants with 4.5+ stars and 1000+ orders are generally reliable
Add items to cart — tap the "+" button next to each dish
Checkout — review your order, confirm address, and pay
Translation tips: Use WeChat's built-in translation (long-press any Chinese text → Translate). Use Google Translate's camera feature to scan menu items. Common useful characters: 辣 (là = spicy), 不辣 (bú là = not spicy), 大份 (dà fèn = large), 小份 (xiǎo fèn = small).
Understanding Common Menu Terms
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 米饭 | mǐfàn | Rice |
| 面条 | miàntiáo | Noodles |
| 饺子 | jiǎozi | Dumplings |
| 鸡肉 | jīròu | Chicken |
| 牛肉 | niúròu | Beef |
| 猪肉 | zhūròu | Pork |
| 素菜 | sùcài | Vegetarian dish |
| 不要辣 | búyào là | No spice please |
| 少辣 | shǎo là | Mild spice |
Payment
Mini Programs use your existing WeChat Pay or Alipay payment method — the same international card you've already linked. Payment is automatic at checkout.
Typical costs:
→ Basic meal (rice + one dish): ¥15-25
→ Western food (burger, pizza): ¥30-60
→ Delivery fee: ¥2-8 (free delivery with minimum order at many restaurants)
→ Packaging fee: ¥1-3
You'll often see coupons and discounts — new user red packets, "spend ¥30 save ¥5" deals, etc. These are applied automatically at checkout.
When Your Food Arrives
The driver will call your phone when they're at your building. If you don't speak Chinese, this can be awkward. Solutions:
→ Set a note in the order asking the driver to leave food at the door: 请放门口 (qǐng fàng ménkǒu)
→ If staying at a hotel: ask the front desk to receive deliveries for you, or set the lobby as your delivery point
→ Use WeChat translate if the driver messages you
Common Issues
→ Driver can't find your building: Reply in the app chat with your exact location. The auto-translate feature helps.
→ Order is wrong or missing items: Use the in-app complaint function. Refunds are usually processed within 24 hours.
→ Restaurant is "sold out" after ordering: The restaurant will contact you (via the app) to offer alternatives or cancel the item.
→ Can't read anything: Use the screenshot + Google Translate camera workflow. It's slower but works for everything.
Beyond Food: What Else Can You Order?
Meituan is actually a "super app." Beyond restaurant meals, you can order:
→ Groceries — fresh produce, snacks, drinks, delivered in 30 minutes
→ Pharmacy items — common medications delivered quickly
→ Drinks — bubble tea, coffee (Luckin Coffee is on Meituan!)
→ Convenience store items — basically anything from a nearby store
Alternative: Sherpas (English-Only Option)
If you find the Chinese interface too frustrating, Sherpas is a food delivery app in full English, popular among expats. The trade-offs: higher prices, smaller restaurant selection, and mainly available in Shanghai and Beijing. But for your first few days, it can be a useful bridge while you learn Meituan.
For more details on food and dining in Shanghai, see our Food & Delivery Guide. Need help setting up payments first? Check our WeChat Pay vs Alipay guide. For common Chinese phrases, our Bilingual Templates include restaurant and food ordering scenarios.
Last updated: March 2026. App features, pricing, and restaurant availability change frequently. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official advice.
Found this helpful?
Share this guide with anyone traveling to China. For the full first-day workflow, check our 72-Hour Task Flow.