🍔 Food Delivery
Meituan
China's leading local services super app, best known for food delivery but covering everything from grocery delivery to booking services. About Meituan: Meituan (美团) is one of China's largest local services platforms, originally a group-buying site that grew into a dominant food delivery app alongside grocery delivery, hotel booking, and local service reservations, competing closely with Alibaba's Ele.me. Key Features: Massive Restaurant Network: One of the largest food delivery networks in China, covering everything from street food to fine dining. Meituan Grocery: Fast grocery and convenience item delivery alongside restaurant food. Local Services Booking: Book everything from haircuts to spa treatments and movie tickets within the app. Real-Time Tracking: Follow your order or courier's progress live on the map. How to Get Started: Download the Meituan app and register with a Chinese phone number. Browse restaurants or services near your location. Add items to your cart and choose a payment method (Alipay, WeChat Pay). Track your order until delivery or completion. Important Notice: Meituan's interface and most content are in Chinese, and full functionality typically requires a Chinese phone number and local payment method — this can make it harder for short-term foreign visitors compared to apps designed for international tourists.
Ele.me
One of China's two dominant food delivery platforms, owned by Alibaba and closely integrated with the Alipay ecosystem. About Ele.me: Ele.me (饿了么, meaning "hungry now") is a major Chinese food delivery platform owned by Alibaba, competing closely with Meituan for market dominance, and closely integrated with Alipay for payment and account access. Key Features: Large Restaurant Network: Extensive coverage of restaurants from street food to established chains across Chinese cities. Alipay Integration: Seamless access and payment through the Alipay app's mini-program. Grocery and Convenience Delivery: Additional delivery categories beyond restaurant food. Real-Time Tracking: Follow your order and courier's progress live on the map. How to Get Started: Access Ele.me through the Alipay mini-program or download the standalone app. Register with a Chinese phone number if using the standalone app. Browse restaurants near your delivery address and add items to your cart. Pay via Alipay and track your order until delivery. Important Notice: Ele.me's interface and most content are in Chinese, and full functionality typically requires a Chinese phone number and Alipay account — this can make it less accessible for short-term foreign visitors compared to apps designed for international tourists.