The average cost of food in China is quite cheap. But it still depends on which city and restaurant you choose. Read on to get a general idea of food and drink prices in China to help you plan your travel budget.
Breakfast - 3–20 yuan (0.5–3 USD)
Soup Dumplings
China has a rich variety of breakfasts: noodles, steamed buns, dumplings, congee, etc. A bowl of noodles or a plate of steamed buns costs around 8 yuan. Soy milk and two dough sticks, or a bowl of rice porridge, are cheaper-around 3 yuan.
If you would like a Western breakfast of bread/cake and yogurt/milk, the cost will be about 10 yuan in a bakery. A Western set breakfast in a café is 30–40 yuan. A cup of coffee can be anything from 7 yuan (instant or fast-food outlet) to 40 yuan (coffee shop).
So the average cost for a breakfast in China is 3–20 yuan. But some restaurants may cost more for better service and environment, and the price in prosperous cities like Beijing and Shanghai will be a bit higher.
Lunch/Dinner/Supper - 20–80 yuan (3–12.5 USD)
Dinner with rice, meat, soup, and vegetable
Rice and noodles are the main food staples in China and they often appear on the table for mid-day and evening meals.
- You can also order dishes and rice, which cost about 20–40 yuan per dish. Reckon on one dish per person. See most popular Chinese dishes you should eat.
- A filling bowl of noodles with meat in a restaurant costs around 15 yuan.
- Alternatively, you could try a hotpot (for 2+ people), which averages at 30–80 yuan.
Snacks - 2–10 yuan (0.3–1.5 USD)
There are many delicious snacks in China and the price is quite cheap. Snacks can be easily found in cities, with corner stalls in busy areas, and large/touristy cities have snack streets, such as 'Ghost Street' in Beijing and City God Temple Street in Shanghai.
Sugarcoated Haws, Chinese Toffee Apples
Chinese snacks have a variety of tastes: sour, sweet, salty, spicy, cold, hot, and even stinky. The average price for a snack is usually between 2–10 yuan, such as deep-fried dough sticks, roast meat skewers, and stinky tofu.
Drinks - 2–10 yuan (0.30–1.50 USD)
The cost for drinks in China is at least half the price in the West. The cheapest mineral water is about 2 yuan for a 500 ml bottle, while a similar bottle of cola is around4yuan. A can/bottle of beer is usually below 10 yuan.
You can also see many milk tea / fruit juice shops in cities. The cost for a cup, usually for take-out, is 5–10 yuan.
KFC/McDonald's - Similar Prices to America
The price of KFC and McDonald's in China is similar to the rest of the world. You can find them easily in popular cities, if you want a break from Chinese food.
The cost of a hamburger is around 12 yuan, 7 yuan for fries, and a drink costs 7–10 yuan. Usually you can get a meal combo for 40 yuan (6.5 USD) including hamburger, fries, drink, and fried chicken.
Chinese 'Fast Food' - 10–20 yuan (1.5 USD)
Chinese Fast Food
There are some very cheap meal combos in small restaurants at the roadside. Chinese 'fast food' (快餐 kuài cān) joints are usually very crowded during lunch and dinner time, when people break from work and have no time for cooking at home.
One type is like a school canteen, displaying trays of food behind a glass window. The cost is usually around 10 yuan, and the food includes rice, meat, vegetables, and soup.
Another type provides set meals from a menu to collect/take-away from the counter, more like KFC, but not as fast. These are more like 20 yuan per tray of soup, rice, and main dish.
These restaurants are not recommended for tourists. They might win the locals with their low price and convenience. However, the food is often lower quality, more oily, and full of MSG. So to enjoy authentic local cuisine, you are not suggested to eat 'fast food'.
Tipping - Not Expected
Tipping is not common in China. It's never expected at small stalls and restaurants. Most restaurants include the service charge in the bill or the price of the food. It might be an option in the classiest restaurants, hotels, and cafés.
Where Food/Drink Costs More
You will usually find higher prices for the same food/drink at:
- Train stations or airports (3–5 yuan higher)
- Higher price bandcities (5–10 yuan higher)
- Classy or hotel restaurants (10–15 yuan higher)
- Tourist Areas (2–5 yuan higher)
Recommended China Tours
If you are getting ready to come to China, see How to Plan a First Trip to China for help. Or see our recommended tours below for inspiration:
- 8-Day Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai Tour-the Golden Triangle
- 12-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong Cuisine Tour-the Flavor of China
Not interested in the above tours? We have many more popular tour products. Or just tell us your interests and requirements, and China Highlights will create a China tour for you.
