Planning a trip to China and wondering about food costs? China offers a diverse culinary landscape, from street snacks to fine dining. This guide breaks down the average cost of food and drinks, helping you budget your culinary adventures.
Breakfast: Fueling Up for the Day (3–20 Yuan / $0.5–$3)
China boasts a rich variety of breakfasts, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. You can find everything from savory noodles to sweet steamed buns. A typical local breakfast might consist of a bowl of noodles or a plate of steamed buns for around 8 yuan. For a lighter and cheaper option, soy milk with dough sticks or rice porridge can be found for approximately 3 yuan.
Alt text: Close-up of steaming baozi, a classic and affordable Chinese breakfast option, showcasing their soft, fluffy texture.
If you prefer a Western breakfast, bakeries offer bread or pastries with yogurt or milk for around 10 yuan. A Western-style set breakfast in a café will cost between 30–40 yuan. Coffee prices vary greatly, from 7 yuan for instant coffee or a cup at a fast-food outlet to 40 yuan at a specialty coffee shop.
Lunch, Dinner, and Supper: A Culinary Journey (20–80 Yuan / $3–$12.5)
Rice and noodles are fundamental staples in Chinese cuisine, frequently featured in both midday and evening meals. These versatile ingredients form the base for countless delicious dishes.
- Ordering dishes and rice is a common way to enjoy a variety of flavors, with each dish costing approximately 20–40 yuan. A general guideline is to order one dish per person. For culinary inspiration, explore a list of popular Chinese dishes.
- A substantial bowl of noodles with meat at a restaurant typically costs around 15 yuan, offering a filling and satisfying meal.
- For a communal dining experience, consider a hotpot (suitable for 2 or more people), with an average cost of 30–80 yuan.
Alt text: A vibrant hotpot scene with various ingredients simmering in a flavorful broth, highlighting the communal and interactive dining experience.
Snacks: A Taste of Local Flavors (2–10 Yuan / $0.3–$1.5)
China’s snack scene is a delightful adventure for your taste buds, with easily accessible treats found throughout cities. Busy areas often have corner stalls offering various snacks, and larger or more tourist-oriented cities boast dedicated snack streets, such as ‘Ghost Street’ in Beijing and City God Temple Street in Shanghai.
Alt text: Close-up of a string of vibrant, red sugar-coated haws (tanghulu) on a stick, a popular sweet snack in China, showcasing their glossy coating and traditional appeal.
Chinese snacks cater to a wide range of palates, offering sour, sweet, salty, spicy, cold, hot, and even stinky options. The average price for a snack typically ranges from 2–10 yuan, encompassing favorites such as deep-fried dough sticks, roast meat skewers, and the daringly pungent stinky tofu.
Drinks: Staying Hydrated on a Budget (2–10 Yuan / $0.30–$1.50)
The cost of drinks in China is significantly lower than in many Western countries. A bottle of mineral water (500 ml) can be found for around 2 yuan, while a similar bottle of cola costs approximately 4 yuan. A can or bottle of beer usually costs less than 10 yuan.
Many milk tea and fruit juice shops are common in cities. A cup, usually for take-out, costs 5–10 yuan.
Western Fast Food: Familiar Flavors (Similar Prices to America)
The price of KFC and McDonald’s in China mirrors prices in other parts of the world. These chains are easily located in major cities if you’re seeking a temporary break from Chinese cuisine.
A hamburger costs about 12 yuan, fries are around 7 yuan, and a drink ranges from 7–10 yuan. A meal combo, including a hamburger, fries, drink, and fried chicken, typically costs around 40 yuan ($6.5 USD).
Chinese ‘Fast Food’: Budget-Friendly Options (10–20 Yuan / $1.5 USD)
Chinese Fast Food restaurants provide very cheap meal combos in small roadside establishments. These restaurants (快餐 kuài cān) are often bustling during lunch and dinner hours as locals seek a quick and affordable meal during their work breaks.
One common type resembles a school canteen, showcasing food trays behind a glass window. Meals typically cost around 10 yuan and include rice, meat, vegetables, and soup.
Another type offers set meals from a menu for collection or take-away from the counter, similar to KFC but slightly slower. These meals, consisting of soup, rice, and a main dish, are usually priced around 20 yuan per tray.
While these restaurants are popular with locals due to their low prices and convenience, they’re often not recommended for tourists. The food quality tends to be lower, with higher oil content and MSG levels. To fully appreciate authentic local cuisine, consider exploring other dining options.
Tipping: Not a Common Practice
Tipping is not customary in China and is generally not expected at small stalls and restaurants. Most establishments include a service charge in the bill or the price of the food. Tipping might be an option in upscale restaurants, hotels, and cafés, but it is not mandatory.
Factors Influencing Food Costs
Keep in mind that food and drink prices can vary depending on the location:
- Train stations and airports: Prices tend to be higher (3–5 yuan more).
- More expensive cities: Expect slightly elevated prices (5–10 yuan more).
- Upscale or hotel restaurants: Prices can be significantly higher (10–15 yuan more).
- Tourist areas: Prices are generally inflated (2–5 yuan more).
By understanding these factors, you can better plan How Much To Spend On Food In China and make the most of your culinary journey.
