Is There DoorDash in China?

People in China use food delivery apps on a daily basis. The popularity of food delivery apps in China has exploded in the last few years. Just like in the USA, more and more people in China are opting for delivery jobs. In this article, I’ll provide you with an answer to the question – is there DoorDash in China?

No, DoorDash is not available in China. This food delivery app can be downloaded and used only in the US, Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada. However, there are other Chinese applications you can use instead.

Is There DoorDash in China?

Is There DoorDash in China?

DoorDash currently operates globally, but China is not the country that has DoorDash services yet. This shouldn’t be surprising since DoorDash is not available in Hong Kong either. Only customers in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Japan have the opportunity to order via the app, while others can become Dashers in numerous cities.

Even though one cannot use DoorDash in China, there are other applications that offer the same features. But, since DoorDash has become available in Japan, it can be expected that the company will arrive in China sometime in the near future.

 Delivery man riding a motorcycle

Are There Any Apps From the US in China?

Other food delivery apps, such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, Gopuff, and Postmates, are also not officially available in China. They have similar applications, but they have changed them in order to blend with people’s preferences and cultures a bit more. For instance, Chinese Uber Eats is considered to be Meituan Dianping. It was a ride-hailing and bike-sharing company that became a food delivery firm.

Additionally, there is only one food delivery app that is in English as well and not only in Chinese. That is Sherpa’s. Their call center is bilingual, so you won’t have problems overcoming the language gap.

A bag with take-out food on the ground

What Should You Use in China Instead of DoorDash?

The best options in China are Ele.me and Meituan. One can order much more than just food. From flowers, hot meals, cosmetics, and charging cables, both apps offer different services, and people in China rely mostly on them for any kind of delivery service.

Meituan was launched in 2010, and its headquarters is in Beijing. Since 2010, it has become the largest platform for food delivery in the entire world. It boasts approximately 300 million active users.

Ele.me is a bit older. It was released in 2008, and after ten years, it was obtained by Alibaba Group. Ele.me is also a reliable and convenient food delivery and catering platform most people in China use.

How Different Are Meituan and Ele.me?

The good news is that Meituan and Ele.me are not that different at all. You can tell the applications apart by their color. Ele.me has a blue logo, while Meituan has a yellow logo. Users usually first choose Meituan since it is very popular across the entire country, but Ele.me provides the same services, and a difference can hardly be noticed. Therefore, you shouldn’t have any issues when choosing which one to use.

A Chinese delivery man sitting on a scooter

How to Order Food on Meituan?

All food delivery apps function similarly, and you’ll find that Meituan is not an exception to the rule. In our step-by-step guide, I’ll explain how you can order on the app effortlessly.

  • The first step is to download Meituan and register an account,
  • Add necessary information while registering, such as an address and phone number,
  • Go to the homepage, and tap on the fork and spoon. Now can select the restaurant you want to order from,
  • When you choose the restaurant, browse through the menu and tap on the meal you want,
  • Next, tap on the yellow button, which you will find at the bottom corner on the right,
  • The last step is to pay. There are different payment options similar to DoorDash. You can enter your credit card number or use Alipay or WeChat Pay.

How to Download on Ele.me?

Ele.me has a less elaborate homepage, so navigating the app should be a bit easier. Follow our instructions, and you’ll manage to order anything you desire in just a few clicks.

  • First, download the Ele.me application,
  • Use your phone number to log in, but you should be able to log in with Sina, QQ, and WeChat also,
  • The application will provide you with the closest restaurants – you can pick one and choose what type of food you wish to order,
  • When you select a meal, tap on the plus sign. It will then get transferred to the cart,
  • When you finish selecting food, click on the green button (it indicates that the order is completed),
  • The last step is to pay for the order online or choose to pay cash.

You Can Choose Other Chinese Food Delivery Apps as Well

Even though Ele.me and Meituan are the leaders in the food delivery industry, they are not the only options one can choose from. There are other less-known apps that might come in handy while ordering in China. In the table below, you can find additional information on some additional apps.

Name of the applicationDescriptionParent company
KFC ChinaYou can order from as many as 8,600 KFC restaurants. The app covers 1,700 cities.Yum! Brands
DingDong ShoppingSince 2020, this platform has allowed users to order drinks and food easily.100 Meters
McDonald’s ChinaThe app is designed for delivering McDonald’s meals only. One can order from 3,000 restaurants across the entire country.McDonald’s China

Since DoorDash is Unavailable in China, Choose a Different App

Even though you can’t order from DoorDash or become a top Dasher in China, you should switch to other applications. China has a lot of apps that you can use, and they are not only intended for food delivery. You can also get other products delivered to you in just a few steps. I recommend using Ele.me, Meituan Waimai, KFC China, DingDong Shopping, or McDonald’s China.