How to Use Meituan App in China for Food, Deals & More?
Whether you're an American living in China long-term or a backpacker traveling long distances in China, Meituan is an indispensable lifestyle app. Learn to enjoy the conveniences like a local.
Learn to use the most popular Chinese food app - Meituan App for food delivery, restaurant discounts, taxi/bike rides, and booking activities. Tips for registration, payment, and how to use Meituan in English.
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About Meituan App
Meituan is a "super app" in China, where you can handle dozens of daily tasks in one place. Here's how it makes life easier:
- Food delivery: When you want to have noodles, bubble milk tea or a late-night snack, Meituan can directly deliver the food to the hotel where you are staying. Most express deliveries arrive within 30 to 45 minutes.
- Save money when dining at a restaurant: Get discount coupons for dishes like hot pot, dim sum or barbecue. Pay in the app, show the code at the restaurant and enjoy your meal for less money.
- Booking a taxi or renting a bicycle: In many cities, Meituan offers ride-hailing services, so this is another option besides apps like Didi or regular taxis. You can also rent shared bikes through it.
- Local services: If you need a massage, a haircut or even laundry during your trip, Meituan enables you to easily book these services at local prices.
- Order groceries to your place: If you are going to stay in one place for a long time, you can have fresh fruits, snacks or drinks delivered to your place.
How to Change Language in Meituan App?
Credit: Xiaohongshu, Mydetra
Meituan has no full English version, but you can:
1. Use Mini Programs on WeChat/Alipay
- WeChat: Open the Meituan mini program → tap the three dots in the top right → select “Translate” (works if your phone’s language is set to English).
- Alipay: Open the Meituan mini program → look for a “Translate” button (some users see this with an English phone setup).
2. Use Translation Apps
- Take screenshots and use apps like Youdao Translate or Google Translate to translate Chinese text.
- Use overlay translation apps that translate the screen in real time (helpful for navigating menus).
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How to Download and Set Up Meituan App?
1. Download the App
- iPhone: Change your App Store region to China (if needed), then search “美团” (Meituan).
- Android: Use a trusted app store or APK site (make sure it’s safe).
2. Register an Account
- Open the app and tap “我的” (My) → “点击登录” (Click to Login).
- Enter a foreign phone number to get a verification code via SMS.
3. Set Your Location
- Type or pin your city and address (e.g., your hotel’s name/address). If you don’t know Chinese, copy-paste the address from Google Maps (in Chinese) or ask your hotel for the Chinese address.
4. Link a Payment Method
Meituan uses WeChat Pay or Alipay. First, link your foreign credit card to WeChat/Alipay, then connect to Meituan. Payments will be automatic after that.
How to Use Meituan for Food Delivery?
Getting food delivered on Meituan is easy:
- Open the food delivery section: Look for the “外卖” (Takeaway) icon on the main screen—this is usually the first icon you see. Click it to access all the nearby takeout restaurants.
- Find the food you want: You can browse the list of nearby restaurants or enter the specific food you want to eat (such as "pizza" or "noodles"). To have the best experience, stick to places with high yellow star ratings and delivery times within 45 minutes - this means fresher food and faster service.
- Check Important Details: Before picking a restaurant, can mainly look at 2 things:
- Delivery fee: Most places charge ¥3 to ¥6 for delivery.
- Minimum order amount: You need to pay a certain amount of money to get the door-to-door delivery service, but it's very easy to do - just add a drink to your main course.
- For each dish you want, click 选规格"Select Options" to choose the spice level or portion. Once you have added everything to the shopping cart, be sure to check carefully to avoid mistakes. Then click "Continue Checkout". If you need to leave a note - such as "Don't eat spicy food" for the kitchen or "Leave it at the hotel front desk" for the driver - write it here.
- Pay and track your order. Use wechat Pay or Alipay for payment. Once your payment is approved, you will be confirmed. Then you can see the driver's progress on the map, so you can accurately see when they will bring your food.
- When the driver arrives at your location, they might call you. If you don't speak Chinese, ask your hotel staff to answer the phone for you or send a short message to the driver, such as "I'm in the lobby", to let them know where they can find you.
How to Use Meituan for Restaurant Deals?
Meituan has great discounts on in-restaurant meals—here’s how to use them:
- Access the dining deals section: Head to the “团购” (Group Buying) section. You’ll spot it by its icon—usually a fork and chopsticks or a voucher symbol. Tap it to browse all available restaurant deals.
- Find a deal you like: You can search for specific cuisines (like “hotpot” or “dim sum”) or just scroll through nearby offers. Look for deals like “50% off lunch sets” or “BBQ for two at a discount”—these are the best ways to save.
- Read the deal fine print: Don’t skip this step! Check:
- What’s included: Does the deal cover a full meal, or just a main dish?
- Time limits: Is it only valid on weekdays, or during lunch hours?
- Reservations: Do you need to book a table before going?
- Buy and Use the Deal: Once you find a good deal, make the payment with wechat pay or Alipay. After payment, the voucher will appear in the "To Use" folder of the app. When you arrive at the restaurant, show the voucher code to the staff - they will scan it and the discount will be immediately applied to your bill.
How to Use Meituan for Transport (Taxi, Bike)?
Meituan isn’t just for food—you can also book rides or rent bikes. Here’s how:
1. Book a Taxi (Ride-Hailing)
- Open the ride area: Find the "打车" icon (which looks like a car), and then click on it.
- Set your location: The application may automatically detect your location (your pick-up point), but you can adjust it by fixing the map. If you don't understand Chinese, you can copy and paste the address from Google Maps or your hotel confirmation.
- Choose the type of car: Standard cars are suitable for most people, but you can choose "Comfort" because it has more space, or if you have luggage, you can choose a larger car.
- Confirmation and tracking: You will see the estimated fare and the time you need to wait for the driver. Click to confirm your reservation. Then, based on the driver's location on the map - you will know exactly when they will arrive.
- Communicating with the driver: If the driver calls you and you don't speak Chinese, ask your hotel staff for help or send a simple message, such as "在这接我", to confirm your location.
2. Rent a Shared Bike
- Find the bicycle section: Look for the "Shared Bike" icon (which looks like a bicycle), and then click on it.
- Unlock: Scan the QR code on the bike with the Meituan app to unlock it.
- Cycling and parking: Walk around with your bike and then park it in the designated bike area (you will see signs or marker points). Lock the bicycle and end the trip. The payment will be automatically deducted from your linked wechat, Alipay or Alipay account, so you don't need to do anything else.
How to Use Meituan for Activities (Movies, Spa, Beauty)?
Meituan works for more than just food:
1. Movie Tickets
- Go to “电影 / 演出” (Movies/Shows).
- Pick a cinema and movie, choose seats, and pay. Show the ticket QR code at the cinema.
2. Spa, Massage, or Beauty
- Tap “丽人 / 美发” (Beauty/Hair).
- Browse services (massages, haircuts, facials), check reviews, book a time, and pay. Show the voucher at the shop.
3. Other Services
- For laundry, home cleaning, or workshops, use the “生活服务” (Life Services) section. Book, pay, and show the voucher when you arrive.
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*Prices are approximate and vary by season, availability, and ticket type. All prices in CNY.
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China Entry Requirements & Things to Prepare
- 24/240 China Visa-Free Transit: US citizens can enjoy a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when traveling through 24 Chinese provinces, provided they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
- China Plug & Power: China plug uses Type A/C/F (220V). Bring a Type A/C adapter (US plugs sometimes work, but bring a universal adapter for safety).
- Internet Access in China: You need a China VPN for Google/Ins/YT/X, etc. But you can also use a China eSIM with built-in access to overseas apps!
Getting Around & Top Destinations in China
- China Metro Guides: Shanghai Metro | Beijing Metro | Guangzhou Metro | HK Metro
- China Airport Guides: Shanghai Airport | Beijing Airport | Guangzhou Airport | HK Airport Express
- China City Maps: Beijing Map | Guangzhou Map | Shanghai Map | HK Map
- Top Destinations in China: Shanghai Attractions (Disneyland, Bund) | Beijing Attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall) | HK Attractions (HK Disneyland)
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Map App: I love to use Gaode Map (English supported) or Baidu Map (limited English) for real-time transit and traffic. Or you can still use Google Maps in China, but some data may be outdated.
- China Transport App: Use DiDi (China's Uber) for English address input and cashless payment. I recommend using the DiDi mini-program in Alipay for more convenience.
- China Payment App: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay (link foreign cards before arrival).
- China Booking App: Trip.com for high-speed trains (China HSR Guide), China hotels/flights. Use Trip.com promo codes for USA users.
FAQs about Meituan App
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Can I use Meituan with a foreign phone number?
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Is there an English version of Meituan?
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How do I pay on Meituan?
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How do I find restaurant deals on Meituan?
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Does Meituan work in all Chinese cities?
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