China · Food & Groceries

Ele.me

Ele.me, now part of Taobao Flash Purchase, is Alibaba’s food and grocery delivery service in China, used from Alipay or Taobao and paid with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card.

What it helps with

Food delivery inside the Alipay appThe delivery service is available as a mini program inside Alipay and Taobao, so tourists who already set up Alipay need no extra app.
Groceries and pharmacy items deliveredBesides restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies deliver through the same service.
Paying with a foreign card through AlipayPayment goes through Alipay or WeChat with a linked international card; direct bank-card payment is not supported.

About Ele.me (Taobao Flash Purchase)

Ele.me has been one of China’s two main food delivery platforms and belongs to Alibaba. In 2025 it was merged into Taobao Flash Purchase (淘宝闪购), which runs as a mini program inside Alipay and Taobao and also works in WeChat. It delivers meals, groceries, convenience-store goods and pharmacy items. The interface is only in Chinese, and payment requires Alipay or WeChat Pay rather than a bank card entered directly.

Key Features

Inside Alipay: No separate app is needed for Alipay users.
Wide range: Restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies.
Live tracking: The courier’s position is shown on the map.
Alibaba account: Uses the same login as Taobao and Alipay.

How to Get Started

Set up Alipay and link an international bank card.
Open Taobao Flash Purchase (淘宝闪购) from Alipay or the Taobao app.
Enter the delivery address in Chinese and choose a restaurant or shop.
Pay with Alipay and follow the courier on the map.

Before you use it

Good to know: In 2025 Alibaba moved Ele.me into Taobao Flash Purchase (淘宝闪购); the service now appears under that name in Taobao and Alipay.
Payment: There is no direct card payment: set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a linked international card first.
Sign-up: International numbers are accepted at checkout, but riders often cannot call them; a Chinese-format number works more reliably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ele.me work with a foreign bank card in China?: Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Ele.me available in English?: Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
Do I need a local phone number to use Ele.me?: No, an international phone number generally works for Ele.me.
Do I need local ID or residency for Ele.me?: No, Ele.me doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
Where can I use Ele.me?: iOS · Android
How much does Ele.me cost?: Free app; menu price plus delivery fee per order