Eating & Drinking in China
From QR-code ordering to street food — how to pay for every meal.
China's dining scene has gone almost entirely digital. Many restaurants don't have physical menus anymore — everything is done through QR codes, mini-programs, and mobile payments. This guide walks you through every dining scenario and exactly how to order and pay, so you can focus on enjoying the food rather than fumbling with your phone.
1QR Code Table Ordering (Most Common)
The majority of sit-down restaurants in China now use QR code ordering. There is no physical menu and no waiter comes to take your order. Everything happens through your phone. Here's how it works:
Sit down at your table
Walk in and find a seat. No host or hostess in most casual restaurants — just sit wherever you like.
Find the QR code sticker
Look for a QR code sticker on the corner of the table, the table number placard, or the wall beside you. It's usually a small laminated square.
Scan with Alipay or WeChat
Open Alipay's scan function (or WeChat's) and point your camera at the code. A mini-program opens automatically with the restaurant's digital menu.
Browse the digital menu and order
The menu shows photos, descriptions (in Chinese), and prices for every dish. Tap items to add them to your order. You can adjust quantities and add special requests (like "no spicy").
Submit your order and pay
Tap "Submit Order" (下单) and pay immediately with Alipay or WeChat Pay. The kitchen receives your order and food arrives at your table. No waiter interaction needed.
Reading Chinese digital menus: If you can't read Chinese, use your phone's screenshot + translation workflow: screenshot the menu, then open Alipay's "Translate" tool and use the image translation feature. Alternatively, use Baidu Translate's camera mode to scan the screen in real time. Photos of dishes help — if you see something that looks good, just tap it.
Tipping is NOT expected in China. There is no tipping culture anywhere in China — not in restaurants, not in taxis, not in hotels. The price you see is the price you pay. Don't leave extra money on the table; the staff may chase after you thinking you forgot it.
2Traditional Waiter-Assisted Ordering
Some restaurants — especially higher-end ones, traditional establishments, and places catering to tourists — still use the classic model with a physical menu and a human waiter. Here's how payment works in this setting:
How to ask for the bill:
Say "mǎi dân" or make a writing gesture and the waiter will bring a printed bill to your table.
Payment Methods
- Show your Alipay/WeChat QR code: Open "Pay/Collect" on your phone and hold it up. The waiter will come with a handheld scanner to scan your code.
- Portable terminal: Some restaurants bring a portable payment terminal to your table. You scan the QR code displayed on the device and confirm payment on your phone.
- Pay at the counter: The waiter may gesture for you to come to the register. Walk up, show your QR code, and pay there.
- Cash: Always accepted, though some staff may need to find change for large bills.
3Food Delivery Apps
Food delivery in China is fast, cheap, and incredibly popular. Two platforms dominate the market, and both are accessible from apps you already have on your phone.
Owned by Alibaba. Built directly into Alipay — no separate app needed. Search "Ele.me" in Alipay or tap the food delivery icon. Delivers from thousands of local restaurants.
The other major player. Has its own app and WeChat mini-program. Slightly wider restaurant selection in some cities. Also offers grocery and convenience store delivery.
How to Order via Ele.me in Alipay
Open Alipay and search for "Ele.me" or tap the food delivery icon on the home screen.
Allow location access — the app shows restaurants near your current location.
Browse restaurants, tap one to see the menu, and add items to your cart.
Enter your delivery address (hotel name + room number in Chinese works best).
Pay with Alipay and track your delivery in real time. Average delivery time: 20–40 minutes.
Delivery fees: Typically ¥2–8 depending on distance and time of day. Many restaurants offer free delivery on orders above ¥20–30. The total cost of a delivered meal is often cheaper than dining in — because rent and overhead are lower for delivery-only kitchens.
Translation challenge: Food delivery apps are entirely in Chinese. Screenshot the menu pages and translate them, or use the photo-based translation in Alipay. Dish names often include the main ingredient and cooking method — once you learn a few key characters, it gets easier.
4Coffee & Bubble Tea
Coffee culture is booming in China, and bubble tea (boba) shops are on every corner. Most chains use mini-program ordering exclusively — there's no cashier, no counter interaction.
Order ahead via the Starbucks mini-program in Alipay or WeChat. Select your store, customize your drink (size, milk type, sugar level, extra shots), pay, and walk in to pick it up when your name/number is called. You can also order at the counter if you prefer, and pay with Alipay.
Luckin has no cashiers at all. You must order through their mini-program (in Alipay or WeChat). Open the mini-program, select your nearest store, browse the menu, customize, pay, and wait for your order number. Prices are very competitive — typically ¥10–20 per drink, with frequent coupons bringing prices as low as ¥9.9.
Chains like Hey Tea (喜茶), Nayuki (奈雪), and Mixue (蜜雪冰城) all use mini-program ordering. Scan the QR code at the store or search the brand name in Alipay/WeChat. Customize your drink (sugar level, ice level, toppings), pay, and wait for your number on the pickup screen.
The universal flow: Order → Pay → Wait for number → Pick up. This is the same pattern at every coffee and tea chain in China. Once you do it once, you can do it everywhere.
5Bars & Nightlife
Bars and nightlife venues in China accept mobile payments just like restaurants. Here's what to expect:
QR code payment at the counter
Show your Alipay or WeChat QR code to the bartender when ordering drinks. Some bars use a tab system — open a tab with your QR code and settle at the end of the night.
Minimum spend (最低消费 zuì dī xiâo fēi)
Some clubs and upscale bars have a minimum spend requirement, typically ¥100–300 per person or ¥500–2000 per table. This is usually clearly posted or told to you at the door.
No tipping
Just like restaurants, tipping is not expected or practiced at bars in China. Bartenders don't expect tips and there's no tip jar.
Bill splitting challenge
Splitting bills between friends is awkward in China because there's no "split" function. One person typically pays the whole bill and then friends settle up via WeChat red packets (红包) or Alipay transfers. As a foreigner, you can receive transfers on Alipay if your account is verified.
6Street Food & Night Markets
Every street food vendor and night market stall has a printed QR code — usually laminated and hanging from the cart or taped to the table. Street food is one of China's great joys, and paying is simple.
How It Works
Point at what you want
No language needed — just point at the food on display or show a photo from Dianping. The vendor will prepare it.
Scan the vendor's QR code
Use Alipay's scan function. The vendor's name and photo appear on your screen.
Enter the amount
The vendor will tell you the price (or hold up fingers). Type the amount into your phone. Most street food costs ¥5–20.
Confirm and show the screen
Enter your PIN, and the green "Payment Successful" screen appears. Show this to the vendor as confirmation.
Verify the vendor name. When you scan a QR code, Alipay shows the merchant's registered name or photo. Glance at it to make sure it matches the vendor you're buying from. QR code fraud (pasting a different vendor's code over the real one) is rare but does happen at busy markets.
Have both Alipay AND WeChat set up. Some street vendors only have one payment code. If a vendor's QR code doesn't work with Alipay, it might be a WeChat-only code. Having both apps ensures you never miss a meal.
Cash backup: Keep ¥50–100 in small bills for night markets. Some vendors' QR codes may be damaged, or their account may have reached a daily limit. Cash is always accepted — nobody will refuse it, even if they look surprised to see it.
7Dietary Needs & Reading Menus
Navigating dietary restrictions in China is manageable if you know the right phrases. Chinese cuisine is diverse and adaptable — most restaurants can accommodate your needs if you communicate clearly.
Essential Dietary Phrases
Finding Halal Restaurants
Halal food is widely available in China, particularly in cities with Hui Muslim communities (Xi'an, Lanzhou, Beijing, Kunming). Look for:
- Green signage: Halal restaurants (清真 qīngzhēn) typically use green signs, banners, or decorations. Look for the Arabic "halal" script or Chinese characters "清真" on the storefront.
- Lanzhou noodle shops: The most common halal restaurants. They serve hand-pulled noodles (拉面 lāmiàn) and are found in virtually every city in China. Usually run by Hui Muslim families.
- Xinjiang restaurants: Serve Uyghur cuisine — lamb skewers, big plate chicken, naan bread. Almost always halal. Excellent food.
Alipay Camera Translate Feature
Alipay has a built-in translation tool that works with your phone's camera — perfect for reading menus in real time.
Open Alipay and search for "Translate" or tap the translate icon.
Select "Camera" mode and point your phone at the menu (physical or on another phone screen).
The app overlays English translations on the Chinese text in real time. Not perfect, but good enough to identify dishes and ingredients.
When in doubt, order by photo. Digital menus (QR code ordering) almost always show photos of dishes. If you can see it and it looks appetizing, you'll probably enjoy it — even if you're not sure what it's called. Chinese restaurant food photos are generally accurate representations of what you'll receive.
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