Quick Answer

Food delivery in China usually works through Meituan, Ele.me, WeChat mini programs or restaurant apps. The basic flow is: set your delivery address, browse nearby restaurants, add items, submit the order, pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay or another supported method, then watch rider tracking. Shanghai’s official English guide explains that Meituan and Ele.me let users browse restaurants, place orders, choose payment and track delivery, and it specifically notes the guide is useful for foreigners and tourists.

For short-term visitors, the hardest parts are Chinese menus, hotel delivery address, rider phone calls and payment.

What You Need

  1. Working mobile data.
  2. A phone number that can receive SMS or app calls if required.
  3. Alipay or WeChat Pay working.
  4. Your hotel address in Chinese.
  5. A translation tool.
  6. A note explaining where to leave the food.

Basic Meituan / Ele.me Workflow

  1. Open the app or mini program.
  2. Enable location or enter your address.
  3. Choose food delivery.
  4. Browse restaurants.
  5. Translate menu items or use photos.
  6. Add dishes to cart.
  7. Check delivery fee and estimated time.
  8. Choose payment method.
  9. Submit order.
  10. Watch rider tracking.

Address Tips

Use the hotel name in Chinese and the full street address. Add room number only if the hotel allows room delivery. Many hotels ask riders to leave orders at the front desk, lobby shelf or pickup table.

Useful note:

请送到酒店前台。

Please deliver to the hotel front desk.

Use photos, ratings and common food words. If you have allergies, do not rely only on auto-translation. For serious dietary restrictions, ask hotel staff or choose restaurants with clearer English menus.

When the Rider Calls

Riders may call to confirm location. If you cannot speak Chinese, send a short message:

我不会说中文。请把外卖放在酒店前台，谢谢。

I do not speak Chinese. Please leave the delivery at the hotel front desk. Thank you.

Common Problems

App asks for a Chinese phone number

Some services work better with a Chinese number. Try a mini program, hotel help or order directly from a nearby restaurant.

Payment fails

Try Alipay or WeChat Pay, or choose another restaurant/payment route.

Food arrives but you cannot find it

Check lobby shelves, front desk, building entrance or rider photo/message.

Wrong address

Cancel quickly if allowed and reorder with the correct hotel address.

Sources Checked

Last source check: 2026-05-27

  • How to use food delivery apps Meituan and Ele.me — Shanghai Municipal Government

URL: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20240109/89844b5729d64b199463a156bc8ef43d.html

Supports: Guide for foreigners/tourists covering account creation, menus, orders, payment and delivery tracking on Meituan and Ele.me.

  • Payment service guide for overseas visitors to China — The State Council, PRC

URL: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/11/content_WS6617c858c6d0868f4e8e5f4d.html

Supports: Overseas visitors can use mobile payments, bank cards and cash; Alipay and WeChat Pay can link international cards including Visa and Mastercard; mobile payment limits and cash/card guidance are described.

  • A guide to using AMap in English — Shanghai Municipal Government

URL: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20241213/59a549d4bdf1440c8e86251d5ac7d5a9.html

Supports: AMap/Gaode Map provides English support for overseas users and route planning for driving, public transit, walking and biking.

Disclaimer

App interfaces, payment rules, station practices, hotel policies and local procedures may change. Treat this guide as a source-checked practical guide, then verify important details with the official service, your hotel, transport staff or your card issuer before relying on it in an urgent situation.