Planning to travel, work, or study in China? You must be wondering: What’s the real food cost in China if you eat out every day?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. As someone who has lived in China long-term and frequently travels between cities for work, I’ve compiled some very practical firsthand information!
Overall, I’ll use Chengdu, known as the “Food Capital,” as an example to explore dining options for different budgets. I’ll also provide price comparisons for similar meals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen for reference. The good news is that whether you’re in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai or a small town in central or western China, you can find delicious meals that fit your budget.
I. Food Cost in China: Daily Spending Guide
1) Low Budget (Approx. $7/Day) — Worker’s Meal Plan
This is the daily choice for most working professionals—delicious, filling, and economical! The advantage is that you’ll definitely get full, and each meal tastes good on its own. The downside is that eating the same thing every day might get boring.
-Breakfast (approximately $1.27): Examples of popular options
- Milk + bread: 3 yuan milk + 3 yuan bread = 6 yuan ($0.85 USD);
- Soy milk + fried dough sticks: 2 yuan soy milk + 3 yuan fried dough sticks = 7 yuan ($0.99 USD);
- Congee + steamed buns: 2 yuan congee + 3 yuan steamed buns = 8 yuan ($1.12 USD);
- Wontons/noodles: Medium portion 15 yuan ($2.11 USD)
-Lunch (approximately $2.28):
- Typical Chinese fast food: 2 meat dishes + 2 vegetable dishes. A full meal is made up of 3–4 small dishes. unlimited rice, 15–20 yuan ($2.11–$2.82), eat until you can’t move.
- Pea meat sauce noodles: 14 yuan ($1.97) for a medium bowl. Egg or extra vegetables cost 3–5 yuan ($0.40–$0.70).
- Beef noodles: Free refills(noodles), 18 yuan ($2.54)
- Braised pork rice/fried rice: 15 yuan ($2.11)
-Dinner (approximately $3):
Many traditional Chinese people prefer to cook at home, especially large families with elderly parents and young children. However, not all young people today are willing to cook dinner. They either order takeout or choose to eat out on their way home, with a bowl of noodles or a fast-food meal being sufficient. The cost is similar to lunch, though dinner may include a drink or side dish.
Summary:
This is the typical daily meal routine for most ordinary young people on weekdays. Mostly centered around Chinese fast food, emphasizing affordability, with relatively balanced and diverse nutrition and flavors.
Additionally, life in China’s first- and second-tier cities remains highly competitive, and opting for fast food saves significant time, which can be used for work, rest, or leisure.
On weekends, people typically gather with friends at small restaurants for meals rather than Chinese fast food, and may have barbecue as a late-night snack. As a foreigner, your wallet won’t feel the pinch, and you might even have some change left over to buy panda-themed merchandise.
2) Moderate Budget, $22/Day — Everyday Luxury
If you increase your budget to over $20 per day, your options expand significantly. Your range of activities shifts from the food street downstairs to nearby shopping malls or restaurants, and the dining environment becomes more comfortable.
- Breakfast: Includes Western-style light meals like coffee and sandwiches, priced around $5.
- Lunch: Restaurants in malls near the office, averaging 40 RMB ($6) per person, offering more refined dishes and a more comfortable dining environment than street stalls.
- Dinner: Hot pot, Sichuan cuisine, Western cuisine… a wide variety of options! In Chengdu, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner for an average of 80 RMB ($11 ) per person, suitable for dining with friends or ordinary business banquets.
3) High budget, $270/day — Business Elite.
- Breakfast: A buffet breakfast at a five-star hotel, with hundreds of dishes to choose from, costing approximately $20 USD per person.
- Lunch: A proper business reception at a Michelin-starred or Black Pearl-rated Sichuan restaurant, averaging $50 USD per person.
- Dinner: Think private dining in a classy business setting, paired with high-end Chinese baijiu like Moutai or Luzhou Laojiao 1573—both serious top-shelf choices here. If people are drinking, expect to have at least half a bottle per person (about 250ml each) ready. All in, food and drinks together usually run around $200 per person.
Total daily cost: approximately $270 USD per person.
You can also view some related information here.
II. Food Cost in China: City Price Differences
| Tier | Chengdu | Shanghai | Central/Western Small Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worker Meal | 100% | +30% | –20% |
| Everyday Luxury Meal | 100% | +10% | –10% |
The price range for high-end dining varies widely in almost every city — from around $100 to $1,000 per person, or even more. So I won’t make comparisons here.
III. Food Cost in China: Your Top Questions Answered
- Will the price change if I’m a student?
If you mainly eat on campus, the cost will be significantly lower, as university canteens offer better value for money. - I don’t eat spicy food. Is there still a chance for me in Chengdu?
No problem. Every city has a variety of restaurants with different flavors. Your taste buds will be well taken care of. - I don’t want to eat chicken feet, pig intestines, or beef offal. Can I still live there?
No problem, but you might miss out on a lot of delicious culinary adventures. - Do I need to tip?
In China, leaving a tip is like giving a delivery guy a banner—it’s touching, but awkward. - Can I save money by cooking my own meals?
Cooking your own meals usually saves a lot of money, with monthly expenses averaging around $200. Unless you enjoy cooking, it’s hard to stick with it.
In a nutshell: In China, $7/day gets you full, $22/day gets you a good meal, and $270/day gets you a fancy meal—your stomach and wallet can both find their comfort zone.
Learn more about the real recent China.
