Step by step

1. 1

   Set up Alipay with your foreign Visa or Mastercard (do this first, 5 min)

   Both Meituan and Eleme use Alipay as the default payment method. You need Alipay installed, set up with your passport, and linked to a foreign Visa or Mastercard. If you haven't done this, follow the [Alipay for Foreigners 2026 guide](/articles/alipay-for-foreigners-2026/). Without Alipay, the food delivery apps accept only UnionPay cards (rare for foreigners) or WeChat Pay (more complex setup).

2. 2

   Install Meituan (recommended for foreigners)

   Download Meituan (美团) from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app, tap the profile icon (top right), then tap the phone number field. Enter your international phone number (with country code, e.g., +1 555 123 4567). You'll receive a 6-digit SMS code — enter it. The app may ask for a 'real name verification' — enter your passport name as it appears. Once logged in, tap the 'Pay' tab and link your Alipay account. Meituan is more foreigner-friendly because it has more English UI elements and a larger international restaurant selection.

3. 3

   Set your delivery address (the only foreigner-specific gotcha)

   Go to the home screen, tap the address bar at the top, then tap the + button. You can type the address in English and the app will suggest Chinese addresses, OR you can paste the Chinese address of your hotel (from your Trip.com/Booking.com confirmation). The map will show your location. Add a 'note' in the 'note to rider' field: '请送到[hotel name]前台' (please deliver to the front desk of [hotel name]). This is the universal instruction for hotel delivery in China — the rider will go to the front desk, not try to enter your room.

4. 4

   Browse and order (with or without English UI)

   Both apps have a '美食' (food) section with restaurants near you. Most menus are in Chinese with photos — the photos are usually the easiest way to identify dishes. Tap a dish to add to cart, then tap the cart icon (bottom right) to review. The 'note to restaurant' field is where you put dietary restrictions in Chinese (I have 8 standard phrases below). When ready, tap '提交订单' (place order). The app will ask for payment method — confirm Alipay is selected, and the app will redirect to Alipay to confirm.

5. 5

   Track your order and tip (don't tip)

   After placing the order, you'll see a map with the rider's location and estimated arrival time. Most deliveries take 25-40 minutes. **Don't tip** — it's not customary in China for food delivery. The app adds a ¥1-3 'delivery fee' (配送费) automatically. If the rider calls you, your phone will show a Chinese number; you can use Google Translate's voice mode to answer, or just say '请送到前台' (please deliver to the front desk).

6. 6

   Use Eleme for 24/7 convenience store delivery (Haidilao, Lawson, 7-Eleven, etc.)

   Eleme (饿了么) has stronger coverage of 24/7 convenience stores and late-night food. If you need a midnight snack, late-night pharmacy, or a Haidilao hot pot delivery, Eleme wins. The setup is identical to Meituan. Both apps work side by side — install both, use whichever has better restaurant selection for the cuisine you want. Most Chinese people have both installed.

FAQ

• Do I need a Chinese phone number to use Meituan or Eleme? +

  No. Both apps accept international phone numbers for signup as of 2026. Use the number from your eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) or the roaming number from your home carrier. The app sends a 6-digit SMS code for verification. If your home number doesn't receive the SMS (some countries block Chinese-sent SMS), use the eSIM number. The verification is once-only; after that, you can use the app offline and re-login anytime with the same number.
• Can I order to my hotel address? +

  Yes. Both apps let you type a delivery address or pick from a map. For foreigners, the easiest approach is to copy the full Chinese address of your hotel (from your Trip.com or Booking.com booking confirmation) and paste it into the address field. The app will auto-complete or recognize the building name. Add the hotel name in English in the 'note to driver' field ('请送到酒店前台' + the English name of your hotel) so the driver knows where to go. Some hotels have a delivery locker at the front desk; check with the reception.
• What about dietary restrictions and allergies? +

  Both apps let you add a 'note to restaurant' (给商家留言) when ordering. Translate your restrictions into Chinese first: 我对坚果过敏 (I'm allergic to nuts), 我是素食者 (I'm vegetarian), 不要辣 (no spice), 少盐 (less salt), 不要味精 (no MSG). The kitchen sees the note when preparing the order. About 80% of restaurants honor the note; 20% ignore it. For severe allergies, prefer chain restaurants (Haidilao, Element Fresh, Wagas) which have standardized preparation protocols.

Related guides

• Beijing Hutong Food Tour: The 8 Best Stops for a 3-Hour Walk

  A curated 3-hour Beijing hutong food walk covering 8 specific stops: from 豆汁儿 (the legendary fermented mung bean drink) to 卤煮 (old Beijing's working-class stew) to 炒肝 (stir-fried liver) to 北京烤鸭 (Peking duck) hutong-style. Includes the exact addresses, what to order at each, how to find the authentic (non-touristy) places, and a printable walking map.

• Chengdu's Three Famous Snacks: Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong Dumplings, Long Chao Shou (2026)

  Complete guide to Chengdu's iconic snack trio: 担担面 (dan dan noodles), 钟水饺 (Zhong dumplings), and 龙抄手 (Long chao shou). Includes each dish's history, where to find the original restaurants, how to order, what they taste like, average prices, and how these local dishes differ from their national imitations.

• Cantonese Dim Sum Guide: 12 Essential Dishes + Tea Etiquette

  A practical guide to Cantonese dim sum (点心) for foreign visitors — the 12 essential dishes, how to order from the cart, tea etiquette, where to eat in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and the famous 饮茶 (yum cha) tradition.