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Imagine landing in Shanghai after a long flight, starving and eager to try authentic Chinese food—but staring at a phone screen full of characters you can’t read, unsure how to order a simple bowl of noodles. For many foreign visitors to China, this scenario is all too familiar. Enter Meituan Waimai (美团外卖), China’s largest food delivery platform, which serves over 690 million users and partners with 9.5 million merchants. With the right guidance, it can become your gateway to exploring China’s diverse culinary landscape—no Mandarin required.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll demystify Meituan Waimai for international users: from setting up the app in English to finding restaurants with English menus, navigating tricky “mandatory items” (like hot pot bases or utensils), and tracking your order. By the end, you’ll be ordering dumplings, Sichuan hot pot, or Cantonese dim sum like a local—all from the comfort of your hotel room or apartment.
Understanding Meituan Waimai: China’s Food Delivery Giant
Before diving into the ordering process, let’s take a moment to understand why Meituan Waimai is such an essential tool for anyone living in or visiting China.
The Scale of Meituan Waimai
Meituan Waimai dominates China’s food delivery market with a market share of over 65%. Every day, the platform processes more than 50 million orders, ranging from breakfast pastries to late-night snacks. What makes Meituan particularly valuable for foreign visitors is its extensive coverage—you can find everything from international fast-food chains to tiny family-owned restaurants serving regional specialties.
Why It’s Different from Western Delivery Apps
If you’re used to Uber Eats or DoorDash, Meituan Waimai will feel both familiar and foreign. The basic concept is the same—order food online and have it delivered to your location—but there are some key differences:
- Payment Methods: Meituan primarily uses Alipay and WeChat Pay, though international credit cards are increasingly supported.
- Delivery Speed: In major cities, delivery typically takes 30-45 minutes, with some restaurants offering “flash delivery” (30 minutes or less).
- Menu Diversity: Meituan offers an incredible range of Chinese cuisines, from Sichuan spicy dishes to Cantonese dim sum and everything in between.
- Mandatory Items: Some restaurants, especially hot pot or BBQ places, require you to select certain items (like a soup base) before you can complete your order.
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The Meituan Waimai app interface displays thousands of restaurants and food options
Step 1: Downloading and Setting Up Meituan Waimai
Downloading the App
Meituan Waimai is available for both iOS and Android devices:
- iOS: Search for “美团外卖” in the App Store. It’s free to download.
- Android: Download from the Google Play Store or Baidu App Store.
Creating an Account
Setting up a Meituan account is straightforward, even if you don’t have a Chinese phone number:
- Open the App: Tap the “注册 / 登录” (Register/Login) button.
- Select Registration Method: Choose “手机号注册” (Phone Number Registration).
- Enter Phone Number: You can use an international phone number. Make sure to select your country code from the dropdown menu.
- Verify Your Number: You’ll receive a verification code via SMS. Enter this code to proceed.
- Set a Password: Create a password for your account.
Switching to English (or Using Translation Tools)
While Meituan Waimai doesn’t have a full English version, there are workarounds:
- Alipay Translation Feature: If you have Alipay, you can use its built-in translation feature to navigate Meituan.
- Google Translate: Use the Google Translate app’s camera feature to translate menu items in real-time.
- Simplified Chinese Settings: Some users find it easier to switch their phone’s language to Simplified Chinese, which makes the app interface more consistent.
Pro Tip: Meituan does offer English customer support for international users, which can be accessed through the app’s help center.
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The Meituan Waimai interface showing various food categories and restaurant options
Step 2: Finding Restaurants with English Menus
One of the biggest challenges for foreign users is finding restaurants that offer English menus. Here are some strategies:
Using Search Filters
- Open the App: Tap on the “外卖” (Takeout) icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Use Search Bar: Type “English menu” or “foreign friendly” in the search bar. Some restaurants use these keywords to attract international customers.
- Check Restaurant Details: Tap on a restaurant to view its details. Look for mentions of English menus in the description or user reviews.
Popular International Chains
Many international fast-food chains in China offer English menus on Meituan:
- McDonald’s: Known as “麦当劳” (Màidāngláo)
- KFC: Known as “肯德基” (Kěndéjī)
- Pizza Hut: Known as “必胜客” (Bìshèngkè)
- Starbucks: Known as “星巴克” (Xīngbākè)
Local Restaurants with English Support
An increasing number of local restaurants, especially in tourist areas or near international schools, are offering English menus. Look for restaurants with high ratings (4.5 stars or above) and check the reviews for mentions of English support.
Using Photos to Navigate
If all else fails, use the photos to guide your order:
- Most restaurants post photos of their dishes.
- Look for familiar ingredients or dishes you recognize.
- Pay attention to the price (in yuan) to avoid surprises.
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Restaurant details page showing ratings, delivery time, and menu categories
Step 3: Understanding Mandatory Items
One of the most confusing aspects of ordering on Meituan Waimai is dealing with “mandatory items” (必选项). These are items that you must select before you can complete your order.
Common Mandatory Items
Different types of restaurants have different mandatory items:
- Hot Pot Restaurants: You must select a soup base (锅底). Popular options include:
- 鸳鸯锅 (Yuānyāng guō): Half-spicy, half-clear soup
- 麻辣牛油锅 (Málà niúyóu guō): Spicy beef tallow soup
- 菌汤锅 (Jūntāng guō): Mushroom soup
- 番茄锅 (Fānqié guō): Tomato soup
- 酸菜锅 (Suāncài guō): Sour cabbage soup
- BBQ Restaurants: You may need to select a sauce or seasoning.
- Noodle Shops: Some require you to choose a spice level or noodle type.
- Combo Meals: Many combo meals require you to select a drink or side dish.
How to Identify Mandatory Items
Mandatory items are usually marked with a red asterisk (*) or the word “必选” (bìxuǎn) next to them. If you try to checkout without selecting a mandatory item, the app will prompt you to make a selection.
Tips for Choosing Mandatory Items
- Hot Pot Bases: If you’re not sure about spice levels, start with a mild option like tomato or mushroom soup. You can always add chili oil or soy sauce later.
- Utensils: Some restaurants charge extra for utensils (餐具). If you’re staying in a hotel or have your own utensils, you can usually opt out.
- Packaging: Many restaurants charge a small fee for packaging (打包费). This is standard practice in China.
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Different hot pot soup bases are often mandatory items when ordering hot pot delivery
Step 4: Placing Your Order
Once you’ve selected your restaurant and dishes, it’s time to place your order.
Adding Items to Your Cart
- Browse the Menu: Tap on a menu category to see available dishes.
- Select Quantity: Choose how many of each item you want.
- Add to Cart: Tap the “+” button to add items to your cart.
- Check Mandatory Items: Make sure you’ve selected all mandatory items (marked with * or 必选).
Entering Delivery Information
- Tap “去结算” (Go to Checkout): This will take you to the checkout page.
- Enter Delivery Address: Tap “收货地址” (Delivery Address) to add your location.
- If you’re in a hotel, enter the hotel name and room number.
- If you’re using a Chinese phone number, you can enable location services for automatic address detection.
- Enter Contact Information: Make sure your phone number is correct—this is how the delivery driver will contact you.
Special Instructions
Use the “备注” (Remarks) section to add any special instructions:
- Language Preference: “请不要打电话，直接放在前台” (Please don’t call, just leave at reception)
- Dietary Restrictions: “不要辣” (No spicy) or “素食” (Vegetarian)
- Delivery Time: If you want the food delivered at a specific time, you can schedule it here.
Payment Options
Meituan Waimai offers several payment options for international users:
- Alipay: If you have an Alipay account with an international card linked, this is the easiest option.
- WeChat Pay: Similar to Alipay, WeChat Pay also supports international cards.
- International Credit Card: Some restaurants accept direct credit card payments. Look for the “信用卡支付” (Credit Card Payment) option.
Pro Tip: Many restaurants offer discounts for orders over a certain amount (满减优惠). Look for red tags indicating these discounts.
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The Meituan Waimai app offers a wide range of food categories and services
Step 5: Tracking Your Order
After placing your order, you can track its progress in real-time.
Order Status
The app will show you the current status of your order:
- 商家接单 (Merchant Accepted): The restaurant has received your order.
- 商家制作中 (Preparing): The restaurant is preparing your food.
- 骑手取餐 (Rider Picked Up): The delivery driver has picked up your order.
- 配送中 (Delivering): Your order is on its way.
- 已送达 (Delivered): Your order has been delivered.
Contacting the Delivery Driver
If you need to contact the delivery driver (for example, to give directions), you can do so through the app:
- Tap “联系骑手” (Contact Rider): This will show you the driver’s phone number.
- Call or Message: You can call the driver directly or send a message through the app.
Pro Tip: If you don’t speak Chinese, use simple phrases like “请送到酒店前台” (Please deliver to hotel reception) or send a photo of your location.
What to Do If Your Order Is Late
If your order is taking longer than expected:
- Check the App: The app will show you the estimated delivery time and any delays.
- Contact the Restaurant: You can call the restaurant directly through the app.
- Contact Customer Service: If there’s a significant delay, contact Meituan customer service for assistance.
Step 6: Receiving and Enjoying Your Order
When your order arrives, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Inspecting Your Order
Before the delivery driver leaves, quickly check that:
- All items are present and correct.
- The food is hot (most deliveries use insulated bags).
- There are no spills or leaks.
Tipping Etiquette
In China, tipping is not expected or required for food delivery. The delivery fee (usually ¥5-10) is already included in your order. If you’re particularly impressed with the service, you can give a small tip, but it’s not customary.
Recycling Packaging
Many restaurants in China use eco-friendly packaging, but it’s still important to recycle when possible. Check with your hotel or accommodation about their recycling policies.
Advanced Tips for Meituan Waimai Success
Using Coupons and Discounts
Meituan Waimai offers various coupons and discounts to help you save money:
- New User Discounts: New users can often get significant discounts on their first order.
- Daily Specials: Many restaurants offer daily specials or limited-time promotions.
- Combo Meals: Combo meals are often cheaper than ordering items individually.
- Meituan Membership: For frequent users, the Meituan membership (¥15-20 per month) offers free delivery and exclusive discounts.
Exploring Regional Cuisines
One of the best things about Meituan Waimai is the opportunity to explore China’s diverse regional cuisines:
- Sichuan: Known for spicy dishes like mapo tofu and hot pot.
- Cantonese: Famous for dim sum, roast meats, and seafood.
- Shanghainese: Known for sweet and savory dishes like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and red braised pork.
- Northern Chinese: Specializes in noodles, dumplings, and hearty soups.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Spice Levels: Chinese food can be very spicy. If you’re not used to spicy food, look for “微辣” (mild spicy) or “不辣” (non-spicy) options.
- Portion Sizes: Chinese portion sizes are often larger than Western ones. Consider ordering fewer items or sharing with others.
- Delivery Areas: Some restaurants only deliver to certain areas. Make sure to check the delivery radius before placing your order.
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Food delivery riders in China are known for their efficiency and speed
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Payment Problems
If you’re having trouble paying:
- Check Card Details: Make sure your card details are entered correctly.
- Contact Your Bank: Your bank may have blocked the transaction due to fraud prevention.
- Try a Different Payment Method: If one payment method isn’t working, try another (e.g., Alipay instead of WeChat Pay).
Order Issues
If there’s a problem with your order:
- Contact the Restaurant: The restaurant is usually the best place to resolve issues like missing items or incorrect orders.
- Contact Customer Service: If the restaurant can’t help, contact Meituan customer service through the app.
- Request a Refund: If you’re unsatisfied with your order, you can request a refund through the app.
Language Barriers
If you’re struggling with the language:
- Use Translation Apps: Apps like Google Translate or Baidu Translate can help with menu items and special instructions.
- Take Photos: If you’re unsure about something, take a photo and show it to the restaurant or customer service.
- Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask hotel staff or local friends for assistance.
Cultural Insights: Understanding China’s Food Delivery Culture
The Rise of Food Delivery in China
Food delivery has exploded in popularity in China over the past decade, driven by factors like urbanization, busy lifestyles, and technological innovation. Today, it’s estimated that over 40% of Chinese people use food delivery apps at least once a week.
Why It’s So Popular
- Convenience: With delivery times as short as 30 minutes, food delivery is often faster than cooking or going out to eat.
- Variety: Meituan Waimai offers an incredible range of food options, from street food to fine dining.
- Affordability: Food delivery in China is relatively cheap, with many meals costing less than ¥50.
- Technology: Advanced algorithms and logistics systems ensure efficient delivery even in crowded cities.
Environmental Impact
While food delivery is convenient, it also has environmental implications:
- Packaging Waste: The amount of packaging waste from food delivery is significant, though many companies are switching to eco-friendly materials.
- Carbon Emissions: Delivery scooters contribute to air pollution, though electric scooters are becoming more common.
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Food delivery has become an integral part of daily life in China’s cities
Conclusion: Mastering Meituan Waimai
Ordering food on Meituan Waimai as a foreigner may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to navigate the app with confidence, explore China’s rich culinary landscape, and enjoy delicious meals from the comfort of your accommodation.
Remember, the key to success is patience and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and don’t worry if you make mistakes—even experienced users have ordering mishaps from time to time.
Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of noodles after a long day of sightseeing or want to try authentic Sichuan hot pot without leaving your hotel, Meituan Waimai is your gateway to the wonderful world of Chinese cuisine. So download the app, fire up your translation tool, and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other.
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