Quick Answer
Best food delivery apps for foreigners: Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么). Both support Alipay/WeChat Pay, have picture menus, and work in most cities. Download the apps, link your payment method, and use translation features if needed.
Restaurant ordering: Point at pictures, use translation apps for menus, or ask for an English menu in tourist areas.
Street food: Cash is widely accepted, prices are displayed, just point and pay.
Food Delivery Apps
Meituan (美团)
Best for: Comprehensive coverage, restaurant variety, discounts
How to use:
• Download from App Store or Google Play
• Register with your phone number
• Link Alipay or WeChat Pay
• Enable location for nearby restaurants
• Browse by category or search
• Add items to cart and checkout
Foreigner-friendly features:
• Picture menus for every dish
• Ratings and reviews with photos
• Real-time order tracking
• Delivery time estimates (usually 20-45 minutes)
• Cash on delivery available in some areas
Pro tip: Meituan often has first-order discounts up to ¥20-30 off. Look for red coupon banners.
Ele.me (饿了么)
Best for: Alibaba ecosystem users, competitive pricing
How to use:
• Same registration process as Meituan
• Log in with Alipay account for faster setup
• Browse restaurants and place orders
Key differences from Meituan:
• Better integration with Alipay
• Often cheaper delivery fees
• Waimai membership (¥10/month) for free delivery
• Owned by Alibaba, so seamless Alipay experience
Pro tip: Ele.me has "Super Member" (超级会员) for ¥10/month giving you free delivery and exclusive coupons.
App Comparison
Meituan pros:
• Larger restaurant selection in most cities
• Better coverage in smaller cities
• More discount variety
Ele.me pros:
• Lower delivery fees on average
• Better Alipay integration
• Cleaner interface
Recommendation: Download both and compare prices for the same restaurant. They often have different promotions running.
Ordering Process Step by Step
1. Browse Restaurants
• Open app and see nearby options
• Filter by cuisine type (Chinese, Western, etc.)
• Sort by rating, distance, or delivery time
• Check minimum order amount (usually ¥15-30)
2. Select Dishes
• Tap on restaurant to see menu
• Browse by category (appetizers, mains, drinks)
• Look at photos and ratings for each dish
• Check portion sizes in reviews
• Add to cart
3. Customize Your Order
• Choose spice level (辣度): 不辣 (none), 微辣 (mild), 中辣 (medium), 特辣 (extra spicy)
• Add special instructions in "备注" field
• Specify allergies or dietary restrictions
• Request utensils if needed
4. Checkout
• Confirm delivery address
• Select payment method (Alipay/WeChat Pay)
• Apply any available coupons
• Confirm order
5. Track Delivery
• Watch rider progress on map
• Receive notifications at each stage
• Rider may call if they can't find your location
• Rate and review after delivery
Common Ordering Terms
Delivery-related:
• 配送费 (pèisòngfèi) — Delivery fee
• 起送价 (qǐsòngjià) — Minimum order amount
• 预计送达 (yùjì sòngdá) — Estimated delivery time
• 骑手 (qíshǒu) — Delivery rider
Food-related:
• 份 (fèn) — Portion/serving
• 辣 (là) — Spicy
• 不辣 (bù là) — Not spicy
• 荤 (hūn) — Contains meat
• 素 (sù) — Vegetarian
Customization:
• 少放辣 (shǎo fàng là) — Less spicy
• 不要香菜 (bùyào xiāngcài) — No cilantro
• 多加饭 (duō jiā fàn) — Extra rice
Restaurant Dining
Finding Restaurants
Use these apps:
• Dianping (大众点评) — Chinese Yelp with photos and reviews
• Meituan — Restaurant info and booking
• Google Maps — Limited but useful in tourist areas
Ordering at Restaurants
Method 1: Point at pictures
• Many restaurants have picture menus
• Point at what you want
• Hold up fingers for quantity
Method 2: Translation apps
• Use Google Translate or DeepL camera feature
• Scan the menu for instant translation
• Works for most printed menus
Method 3: Ask for English menu
• Tourist restaurants often have English menus
• Say: "有英文菜单吗?" (yǒu yīngwén càidān ma?)
• Five-star hotels always have English menus
Method 4: QR code ordering
• Many restaurants use table QR codes
• Scan with WeChat or Alipay
• Menu appears on your phone
• Order and pay directly
QR Code Ordering
How it works:
• Sit at your table
• Find the QR code (usually on table or wall)
• Scan with WeChat or Alipay
• Browse digital menu with photos
• Add items to cart
• Pay and wait for food
Benefits:
• No language barrier (photos provided)
• See prices clearly
• Customize orders easily
• Split bills with friends
Payment at Restaurants
• Most places accept Alipay and WeChat Pay
• Cash is always accepted
• International credit cards work at hotels and high-end restaurants
• Some tourist restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard
Street Food
What to Expect
• Cash is king (small bills helpful)
• Prices displayed or clearly stated
• Point and pay — no Chinese needed
• Watch it being cooked fresh
• Extremely affordable (¥5-20 per item)
Popular Street Foods
Breakfast:
• 煎饼果子 (jiānbing guǒzi) — Savory crepe with egg and crispy cracker
• 豆浆油条 (dòujiāng yóutiáo) — Soy milk and fried dough
• 包子 (bāozi) — Steamed buns with various fillings
Snacks:
• 烤串 (kǎochuàn) — Grilled skewers (lamb, chicken, vegetables)
• 臭豆腐 (chòu dòufu) — Fermented tofu (smell is worse than taste!)
• 糖葫芦 (tánghúlu) — Candied hawthorn on a stick
Regional specialties:
• Xi'an: 肉夹馍 (ròujiāmó) — Chinese burger
• Chengdu: 串串香 (chuànchuànxiāng) — Spicy skewers
• Guangzhou: 肠粉 (chángfěn) — Rice noodle rolls
Street Food Safety
Safe choices:
• Watch the food being cooked fresh
• Long lines mean high turnover = fresh food
• Avoid raw or undercooked items
• Stick to places with many locals
Avoid:
• Food sitting at room temperature for hours
• Raw seafood at street stalls
• Unlicensed vendors (no official sign)
• Anything that looks or smells off
Common Challenges & Solutions
Problem: Can't read the app
Solution: Use Google Translate's camera feature or enable Chinese in your phone's translate app. Meituan and Ele.me have improved with more visual interfaces.
Problem: Delivery rider can't find you
Solution:
• Enable precise location sharing
• Send a photo of your building entrance
• Have your hotel name in Chinese ready
• Ask hotel staff to help take delivery calls
Problem: Payment failed
Solution:
• Ensure Alipay/WeChat Pay is linked to your card
• Add funds to your balance first
• Try cash on delivery if available
• Use a Chinese friend's account temporarily
Problem: Food not as expected
Solution:
• Check reviews and photos before ordering
• Use translation apps on dish names
• Start with familiar items (fried rice, noodles)
• Ask hotel staff for recommendations
Budget Guide
Street food per meal:
• Breakfast: ¥5-15
• Lunch: ¥10-25
• Snacks: ¥5-15
Restaurant per meal:
• Budget: ¥20-40
• Mid-range: ¥50-100
• High-end: ¥150-500+
Delivery costs:
• Delivery fee: ¥2-8 (often free with promotions)
• Minimum order: ¥15-30
• Tip: Not expected (riders earn from delivery fee)
Sample daily budget:
• Budget traveler: ¥50-80/day
• Comfortable: ¥100-200/day
• Foodie explorer: ¥200-400/day
Pro Tips for Food Ordering
Learn basic food words — Knowing 辣 (spicy), 不辣 (not spicy), and 荤/素 (meat/veg) helps enormously
Use hotel concierge — Ask them to order for you or write your address in Chinese
Save favorite restaurants — Bookmark places you like for easy reordering
Check ratings — 4.5+ stars usually means reliable quality
Order during off-peak — 11am and 5pm have faster delivery than 12pm and 6pm
Group ordering — Many apps let you share a cart with friends for split bills
Look for 红包 (red packets) — Random discounts pop up, especially for new users
Screenshot your address — Keep your address in Chinese ready for copy-paste
Essential Apps Summary
Meituan: Most restaurants, discounts — Chinese (photos help)
Ele.me: Cheaper delivery, Alipay users — Chinese (photos help)
Dianping: Restaurant discovery, reviews — Chinese (photos help)
Google Translate: Menu translation — Full English support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use food delivery apps without speaking Chinese?
A: Yes! The apps are very visual with photos for every dish. Use Google Translate camera feature for any text you need to read.
Q: Do I need a Chinese phone number?
A: Yes, for app registration. Get a local SIM card when you arrive in China.
Q: Can I pay with foreign credit cards?
A: Not directly on delivery apps. Link your international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay first.
Q: What if my order is wrong?
A: Contact customer service through the app. You can request a refund or replacement for wrong/missing items.
Q: Is street food safe?
A: Generally yes if you follow basic precautions — eat at busy places with high turnover, watch food being cooked fresh.
Q: How do I handle food allergies?
A: Use translation apps to communicate allergies. Common allergies: 花生 (peanut), 海鲜 (seafood), 麸质 (gluten), 牛奶 (milk).
Last Updated
March 2026 — Apps and pricing information current as of this date. Food delivery in China is constantly evolving with new features and promotions.
Next reads:
• Alipay Guide for Foreigners
• WeChat Pay Guide
• SIM Card Guide for China