Buying food and beverage in China
Where to buy food and beverage
The options to buy food: physical stores, websites and apps.
How to use the app Meituan (美团)
Meituan is a service platform in China offering also food delivery.
How to use the app Ele.me (饿了么)
Ele.me is one of China's largest online food delivery platform.
Where to buy food and beverage in China
Foreigners living in China have a wide range of options to buy food and beverages, including physical stores, online websites, and apps. Each option offers unique features catering to different needs and preferences.
Carrefour
The French multinational retailer has numerous hypermarkets across China. It offers a wide variety of products, including international foods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and beverages.
Characteristics: large selection of imported goods; fresh bakery and deli sections; in-store promotions and discounts; convenient location in urban areas.
Metro
This important German wholesale retailer has multiple locations in China. Characteristics: bulk buying options; wide range of international products; high-quality fresh products including meat and seafood.
Ole’ Supermarket
Ole’ is a high-end supermarket chain specializing in imported goods, fresh foods, and gourmet products.
Characteristics: extensive selection of imported and specialty items; premium quality products; excellent customer service; higher price point compared to regular supermarkets.
Jenny Lou
Jenny Lou’s is a popular supermarket chain among expatriates in Beijing, known for its selection of imported products.
Characteristics: extensive range of Western products; fresh bread and pastries; friendly service in English; higher prices due to import costs; online Website and App.
Epermarket
Epermarket is an online supermarket specifically catering to expatriates in China, offering a range of imported foods and beverages.
Characteristics: extensive selection of imported goods; fresh produce and organic options; bilingual customer service; convenient delivery options. Website: https://www.epermarket.com
Hema (盒马)
Hema is an innovative grocery chain owned by Alibaba, combining online and offline shopping experiences.
Characteristics: Fresh products including seafood and meat; wide range of imported goods; instant delivery within 30 minutes in select areas; seamless integration with Alipay.
App: Available on major app stores. Search for Hema or 盒马
Meituan (美团)
Meituan is one of China’s largest on-demand service platforms, providing food delivery, grocery shopping, and various other services.
Characteristics: it offers a vast selection of restaurants, covering all types of cuisines. Users can order from local eateries to international chains; cooperate with local supermarkets and specialty stores to provide fresh produce, dairy, meats, and other groceries; frequent promotions and discounts; real-time order tracking; customer reviews and ratings for both restaurants and grocery items; supports various payment methods including WeChat Pay and Alipay.
App: Available on major app stores. Search for Meituan or 美团
Ele.me (饿了么)
Ele.me, owned by Alibaba, is a leading food and grocery delivery platform in China, known for its extensive network of restaurant partners and grocery delivery services.
Characteristics: it provides access to a wide range of dining options, from fast food to gourmet restaurants; offers delivery services from supermarkets, local markets, and specialty stores, providing fresh and high-quality products; frequent deals and discounts; real-time order tracking; user reviews and ratings to help select the best options; supports various payment methods including WeChat Pay and Alipay.
App: Available on major app stores. Search for Ele.me or 饿了么
Xiǎo xiàng chāoshì (小象超市)
Xiǎo xiàng chāoshì, also known as Little Elephant Supermarket is an online and offline retail platform in China. It is part of the JD.com ecosystem, providing a seamless shopping experience with a focus on high-quality fresh produce, groceries, and daily essentials.
Characteristics: it offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products, beverages, and other grocery items; the platform also provides household goods, personal care items, and other daily necessities; emphasizes the quality and freshness of its products, sourcing from reliable suppliers and ensuring timely delivery to maintain product integrity; it combines the convenience of online shopping with physical stores in some locations, allowing customers to shop according to their preferences; it offers quick and reliable delivery services, often within an hour in major cities; the app is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with features such as product recommendations, personalized shopping lists, and special promotions.
App: Available on major app stores. Search for 小象超市.
How to use Meituan (美团)
Meituan (美团) is a comprehensive service platform in China offering food delivery, hotel booking, ticket purchasing, and more. This guide will help foreigners download, register, and use the Meituan app, with key functions indicated also in Chinese for easier navigation.
Downloading and Installing
For iOS Users
1. Change App Store Region to China:
– Go to Settings > Apple ID > Country/Region > Change Country or Region.
– Select China (中国).
2. Download Meituan:
– Open the App Store.
– Search for “Meituan” (美团).
– Download and install the app.
For Android Users
1. Change Play Store Region to China:
– Adjust settings in your Google account.
2. Download Meituan:
– Open Google Play Store.
– Search for “Meituan” (美团).
– Install the app.
– Alternatively, download the APK from Meituan’s official website or Tencent App Store (应用宝).
Registering on Meituan
1. Open the Meituan App:
– Click on 登录/注册 (Dēnglù/zhùcè).
2. Enter Your Phone Number:
– Input your Chinese phone number.
– Click 获取短信验证码 (Huòqǔ duǎnxìn yànzhèng mǎ) to receive a verification code.
3. Enter the Verification Code:
– Input the received code.
– Meituan will create an account automatically.
How to use Meituan
1. Open the App
• Tap on the 外卖 (wàimài) icon for food delivery.
2. Set Your Location
• Click the location pin icon at the top right.
• Tap 选择收货地址 (Xuǎnzé shōu huò dìzhǐ).
• Search for your address or adjust the map pin to your location.
• Complete your address information.
3. Browse Restaurants
• Scroll through the restaurant options or use the search bar at the top.
4. Select Items
• Tap on a restaurant to view its menu.
• Tap the “+” button next to items to add them to your cart.
5. Finalize Your Order
• Tap the cart icon to review your order.
• Confirm your address and payment method.
• Tap 未点必选品 (Wèi diǎn bì xuǎn pǐn) if prompted to choose additional items (like cutlery).
• Select 需要餐具 (xūyào cānjù) for cutlery or 不需要餐具 (bù xūyào cānjù) if you don’t need it.
• Tap 去结算 (Qù jiésuàn) to proceed to checkout.
6. Place Your Order
• Verify your order details.
• Tap 提交订单 (Tíjiāo dìngdān) to place the order.
7. Track Your Order
• Monitor your order status in real-time.
Other Services on Meituan
– Hotel Booking
1. Navigate to the Hotel Booking Section: tap on the 酒店 (jiǔdiàn) icon.
2. Enter Booking Details: input your destination, check-in, and check-out dates.
3. Browse and Select Hotels: read reviews and select a hotel.
4. Complete the Booking: provide necessary details and make payment.
– Ticket Booking
1. Navigate to the Ticket Booking Section: tap on the 电影/娱乐 (diànyǐng/yúlè) icon.
2. Select Event or Movie: Choose your desired event or movie.
3. Book Tickets: Select date, time, and seats; complete the booking with payment.
How to use Ele.me (饿了么)?
Ele.me (饿了么), which translates to “Are you hungry?”, is one of China’s largest online food delivery platforms. Owned by Alibaba Group, it offers a wide range of services from food delivery to buying everyday essentials and more.
How to Download the Ele.me App
For iOS Users
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Search for “Ele.me” (饿了么) in the search bar.
3. Download the app developed by Lazhaouyi Network Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (拉扎斯网络科技有限公司).
For Android Users
1. Open the Google Play Store or your phone’s app store.
2. Search for “Ele.me” (饿了么).
3. Download and install the app by Lazhaouyi Network Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (拉扎斯网络科技有限公司).
Access via Web Browser
• Visit the website www.ele.me from your computer or phone browser.
Setting Up an Account
1. Open the Ele.me App and tap on “注册/登录” (zhùcè/dēnglù), which means Register/Login.
2. Select your country code and enter your phone number.
3. Verify your phone number by entering the SMS code sent to you.
4. Create a password for your account.
5. Set your profile by adding your address and payment information.
Home Screen Overview
• 搜索 (sōusuǒ) – Search Bar: Use this to find restaurants or items by name or category.
• Location and Address (地址, dìzhǐ): At the top left, the app should detect your location. Ensure your phone’s GPS is turned on.
Key Functions
1. Search for Restaurants and Items
– Use the 搜索 (sōusuǒ) bar at the top to search for specific dishes or restaurants.
– Browse by categories below the search bar for more options.
2. Categories and Icons
Below the search bar, you will see a set of icons representing different categories:
– 美食 (měishí): General food and restaurants
– 卖场便利 (màichǎng biànlì): Convenience stores
– 水果 (shuǐguǒ): Fruits
– 跑腿代购 (pǎotuǐ dàigòu): Errand service
– 甜品饮品 (tiánpǐn yǐnpǐn): Desserts and drinks
– 星选好店 (xīng xuǎn hǎo diàn): Top-rated shops
– 送药上门 (sòng yào shàng mén): Pharmacy delivery
– 大牌惠吃 (dà pái huì chī): Discounts and promotions
– 蜂鸟秒送 (fēngniǎo miǎo sòng): Express delivery
– 签到领红包 (qiāndào lǐng hóngbāo): Collect red envelopes
3. Additional Services
Below the category icons, you will find links to other services:
– 电影 (diànyǐng): Buy movie tickets
– 酒店 (jiǔdiàn): Book hotels
– 火车票 (huǒchē piào): Purchase train tickets
How to order food
1. Choose a Restaurant
– Scroll through recommended restaurants or use the search bar.
– Tap on a restaurant to view its menu.
2. Selecting Menu Items
– Browse the menu and tap on items to add them to your order.
– Popular restaurants may have English translations, but if not, consider using a dictionary or translation app.
3. Checkout (去结算, qù jiésuàn)
– Once you’ve selected your items, tap the green button “去结算” in the bottom-right corner to proceed to checkout.
4. Enter Your Address
– Tap the address box at the top.
– Select “新增地址” (xīn zēng dìzhǐ) to add a new address.
Fill out the following:
– 联系人 (liánxìrén): Contact name
– 先生 (xiānshēng)/女生 (nǚshēng): Male/Female
– 电话 (diànhuà): Phone number
– 地址 (dìzhǐ): Street or building name
– 门牌号 (ménpái hào): Detailed address (apartment number, floor, etc.)
– 家 (jiā), 公司 (gōngsī), 学校 (xuéxiào): Home, company, or school
5. Payment
– Check your payment method below the address.
– Review the price breakdown:
– 餐盒 (cān hé): Box fee
– 蜂鸟专送 (fēngniǎo zhuānsòng): Delivery fee
– 店铺满减优惠 (diànpù mǎnjiǎn yōuhuì): Store discounts
– 红包 (hóngbāo): Red envelope discounts
– Add any special instructions in the 订单备注 (dìngdān bèizhù) section.
6. Confirm Payment (确认支付, quèrèn zhīfù)
– Once satisfied, tap the green button “确认支付” to proceed with your selected payment method.
– After payment, a map will appear showing the distance to the restaurant and the delivery progress.
7. Track Your Order
– Use the map to see the delivery status and track your driver’s location.
8. Contact the Driver
– Tap 电话骑手 (diànhuà qíshǒu) to call the driver.
– Tap 在线联系 (zàixiàn liánxì) to send a message.
Other Useful Features
1. Pharmacy Delivery (送药上门, sòng yào shàng mén)
• Useful for ordering medicine like ibuprofen (布洛芬, bùluòfēn).
• The process is similar to ordering food.
2. Convenience Store (卖场便利, màichǎng biànlì)
• Order groceries or everyday items such as bottled water or phone chargers.
• Large chains and local stores are available for delivery.
Additional Tips
• Share and receive 红包 (hóngbāo) for discounts on future orders.
• Tap 分享领红包 (fēnxiǎng lǐng hóngbāo) to send hóngbāo via WeChat.
• Scroll to see personalized suggestions based on past orders under 专属推荐 (zhuānshǔ tuījiàn).
• Check the 优惠专区 (yōuhuì zhuānqū) section for current deals.
• The “卖场便利” (màichǎng biànlì) category allows to order items from convenience and grocery stores.
Some useful terms you might encounter on Ele.me
搜索 sōusuǒ means Search
地址 dìzhǐ means Address
去结算 qù jiésuàn means Checkout
确认支付 quèrèn zhīfù means Confirm Payment
餐盒 cān hé means Box Fee
蜂鸟专送 fēngniǎo zhuānsòng means Express Delivery
红包 hóngbāo means Red Envelope (Discount)
电话骑手 diànhuà qíshǒu means Call the Driver
在线联系 zàixiàn liánxì means Contact Online
订单备注 dìngdān bèizhù means Order Notes
新增地址 xīn zēng dìzhǐ means Add New Address
