China Takeout : The Foreigner's Guide to Ordering Food Delivery in China

Imagine this: you're jet-lagged in your hotel room at 10 PM, hungry and exhausted. No restaurant nearby speaks English. What do you do? Open your phone. Within 30 minutes, hot noodles, crispy dumplings, or even a Starbucks latte will arrive at your door—no cash, no Mandarin required.

Welcome to food delivery in China—one of the most magical everyday conveniences travelers discover when they arrive.

China has the world's largest food delivery market, with over 550 million users (more than half of all internet users have tried it). Most orders arrive within 30 minutes. Food comes in insulated bags to stay warm. You get real-time tracking, rider location, and user reviews. Many restaurants even offer live kitchen streaming for food safety transparency. And it's not just Chinese food—you can get Western food, hotpot, pizza, breakfast, late-night snacks, groceries, fresh fruit, medicine, flowers, KFC, Starbucks... the list goes on. This is the "30-minute lifestyle circle."

The two most popular platforms are Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么) . In 2025, Ele.me rebranded to Taobao Flash Purchase (淘宝闪购) , but everyone still calls it Ele.me. Both platforms:

• Support direct registration with international phone numbers

• Require a Chinese phone number for SMS verification

• Offer WeChat Pay and Alipay as payment options

• Allow linking international bank cards via Alipay/WeChat

1. A Chinese phone number - This is the big one. Both apps require a Chinese number to receive the OTP (one-time password) verification code. At major airports like Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, or Shenzhen Bao'an, you'll find China Mobile and China Telecom desks right in the arrivals hall. Pick up a SIM card there. Alternatively, use an eSIM for data first, then visit a major carrier branch in the city.

2. Alipay or WeChat Pay - Set these up before you arrive. Foreigners can now register Alipay and WeChat Pay with international phone numbers and link international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). You do NOT need a Chinese bank account.

3. Passport - Some verification steps may require scanning your passport.

Detailed instructions can be found at：https://hillsshanghai.com/blogs/about-china-pre-departure/digital-payments

Method 1: Using Meituan Mini Program in WeChat (Recommended for Beginners)

This is the easiest method because WeChat's built-in translation feature can convert the entire page to English.

Step 1: Open WeChat Mini Program

• Open WeChat and type "Meituan Takeout" (美团外卖) in the search bar at the very top of the interface.

• Look for the search results categorized under "Mini Programs." Click on the official entry, which is easily identified by the signature yellow kangaroo logo.

Step 2: Access the Functional Menu

• Once you are on the Meituan homepage, locate the "capsule" button in the top right corner and click the three-dot icon ("...").

• This action will trigger a pop-up window at the bottom of your screen, containing various system shortcuts and sharing options.

Step 3: Activate the Translation Feature

• Within the pop-up menu, swipe the bottom row of icons to the right until you find the icon labeled with (Translate) and click it.

• This built-in WeChat tool will instantly overlay English text onto the Chinese interface, allowing you to read restaurant names, menu items, and delivery details in real-time.

Step 4: Select a Category and Place Your Order

• With the English translation active, tap on the icons for your desired category, such as "Delicious food" (meals) or "Dessert drinks" (afternoon tea/coffee).

• You can then browse the list of available vendors in your area. Select your favorite dishes, add them to your cart, and proceed to the checkout page to finalize your delivery.

Method 2: Using Meituan or Ele.me via Alipay Mini Programs

If you're already using Alipay, this method is incredibly convenient. Alipay supports both Meituan  and Ele.me  mini-programs directly within the app. After setting up your Alipay with a linked international card, you can start ordering in just a few taps.

Step 1: Search for Meituan on Alipay

• Tpye "meituan" in the search bar

• Click the translation button and select "Meituan Takeway" below

Step 2: Choose Your Location

• In most case, the app can automatically locate your position.

• Otherwise, you need to select your position manually. You can use AMAP to identify address.

Step 3: Pick Restaurant and Food

• Browse or search to find the restaurant or store which youlike, and click it.

• Select the goods and their amounts until reach the staring price for delivery. Then click "to settle".

Step 4: Check and Add Information

• Check the address and phone number. If you don't have a Chinese phone number, fill with any 11 digits start with "131".

• Write notes in the Remarks box, like "Deliver it to the hotel reception and let them send it to Room XX" in Chinese.

Step 5: Submit and Pick up

• Afterward, you can submit and pay with Alipay. Then you can check the order information here.

• If having any issue, you can contact the seller or deliveryman here.

Hotels are the easiest delivery point for tourists. Here's how:

1. Use the hotel's full address - Include the street name, building number, and hotel name. Example: "123 Nanjing Road, Shanghai, Room 1205, Shanghai International Hotel"

2. Add your room number - This helps the rider find you directly

3. Provide your phone number - The rider may call upon arrival. If you don't want calls, add a special note: "不要打電話" (Don't call) and ask the hotel front desk to notify you when food arrives

4. Hotel address trick - Many hotels have English addresses. You can also copy the Chinese address from the hotel's website or booking confirmation

Sample Hotel Address (English) ：

Room 1205, 123 Nanjing Road East,  Huangpu District, Shanghai

Sample Hotel Address (Chinese) :

上海市黄浦区南京东路123号1205室

There are two places to leave notes:

For the restaurant ：

• "No spicy" → "不要辣" (bù yào là)

• "Extra sauce" → "多加酱料" (duō jiā jiàng liào)

• "Light salt" → "少盐" (shǎo yán)

• "Vegetarian" → "素食" (sù shí)

For the delivery rider ：

• "Don't call" → "不要打電話" (bù yào dǎ diàn huà)

• "Leave at front desk" → "放前台" (fàng qián tái)

• "Gate code: 1234" → "门禁密码:1234" (mén jìn mì mǎ:1234)

Pro tip: Save these phrases in your phone's notes app and copy-paste when needed!

Neither Meituan nor Ele.me has a native English interface, but you have several options:

Option 1: WeChat/Alipay Mini Program with Translation (Easiest) - As described above, use WeChat/alipay's built-in translation feature to convert the entire page to English. Works best if your WeChat system language is set to English.

Option 2: Screenshot + Google Translate - Take screenshots of the app interface, upload to Google Translate or Youdao, and read the translation.

Option 3: Floating Translation Apps - Use real-time translation apps that create a "floating button" over the screen, translating Chinese text instantly as you scroll.

Option 4: Search for "English menu" - In the app's search bar, type "English menu" or "foreign friendly" to find restaurants that cater to international visitors.

Both platforms offer multiple payment methods:

Q: I didn't receive the SMS verification code! 

• Make sure your phone number includes the correct country code (+1 for US, +44 for UK, etc.)

• Wait 2-3 minutes; sometimes delivery is delayed

• Try again; if still not working, the network may be busy during peak hours

Q: The app won't let me pay with my international card.

• Use Alipay or WeChat Pay as the intermediary

• Link your international card to Alipay/WeChat first

• If that fails, apply for a Tour Card as backup

Q: The rider called but I don't speak Chinese.

• Add "不要打電話" (don't call) in your order notes

• Or have a Chinese phrase ready: "请放前台，谢谢" (Please leave at the front desk, thank you)

Q: My food never arrived？

• Track the rider in real-time on the app

• Contact customer service through the app (use translation tools)

• Most issues are resolved with refunds or re-delivery

1. Get a Chinese SIM at the airport - It's the easiest way to get a local number and data. Major carriers have desks in arrivals halls at all international airports

2. Keep Alipay/WeChat funded - Add money to your linked account or keep a small balance

3. Save common phrases - Save Chinese notes in your phone for easy copy-paste

4. Use the hotel address - It's the most reliable delivery point for tourists

5. Order during off-peak hours - Avoid 11:30 AM-1:00 PM and 5:30 PM-7:00 PM for faster delivery

6. Track your rider - The app shows the rider's real-time location on a map

7. Be patient - The first order may take a few extra minutes. It gets easier every time.

China's food delivery system is one of the most impressive and convenient aspects of daily life here. Yes, there's a small learning curve for foreigners—a Chinese SIM card, an app with no English interface, a payment system that seems complicated at first. But once you get through that first order, you'll wonder how you ever traveled without it.

So next time you're jet-lagged, hungry, or just craving something specific at an odd hour—don't hesitate. Open your phone, place that order, and let the magic of China's 30-minute delivery circle bring a hot meal to your door.