How Much to Spend on Food in China – Eating and Drinking Food Cost

Written by Natalia | Updated August 25,2025

As a country with a long history of food culture, China boasts eight major cuisines of unique regional characteristics and numerous special local foods and snacks. The abundant flavors, various cooking methods and harmony of color, smell and taste are also highlights of Chinese food. Besides, the Chinese food is of profound cultural connotations. So tourists from all over the world are eager to taste the variety of food during their China tour. It is also an important method for them to have a deep understanding of Chinese culture.

But you may wonder how much to spend on food in china and its percentage in the China trip cost. With both street snacks, mid-range and high-end restaurants, the price varies a lot, but it can meet the needs of all populations, so you can taste the food based on your preference. And usually, the cost of three ordinary meals in one day is CNY 30 – 50, so it may account for about 20% – 30% of your trip cost.

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• Quick Overview: Average Meal Costs in China​ 
• Types of Meals and Their Costs in China
• Breakdown of Meal Costs by Meal Type
• Cost of Eating Out in Different Chinese Cities
• Where Food/Drink Costs More
• How to Pay for Food and Drinks in China?
• Practical Tips to Save Money on Food in China
• Plan Your China Food Tour with Us

Quick Overview: Average Meal Costs in China​

Average Daily Food Cost in China

What Influences the Cost of Meals in China

• Regional differences: In general, the price of food in Tier 1 cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou is higher than that inTier 2 and 3 cities. And the hot tourism cities have higher price than other cities.
• Type of restaurants: The price of street food is the lowest at about CNY 5 – 15. While in fast food restaurants, mid-range and local restaurants, the cost is a little bit higher, which is about CNY 15 – 40. The most expensive is the high-end restaurants and private home cuisine, which are over CNY 100.

Tipping is not Customary in China

In the culture of China, it is wildly recognized that service charge has been included in the price of commodities, so tipping is not customary, and sometime it is may be interpreted as a questioning of the professionalism of the service provider. If you want to show your respect, you can praise their service directly, post good feedback on the platform or give a small gift instead. >> See more details about tipping culture and advice in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.

Types of Meals and Their Costs in China

How Much Does Street Food Cost in China?

The classic street food in China include Baozi, Jianbing, Roujiamo, dumplings, hot and sour rice noodles, etc. There are a variety of regional dishes, for example, the wontons and small buns in the south and the skewered meats in the west. All are typically delicious and affordable. In China, it has been an essential part of daily life because of its low price and abundant choices. The cost is about CNY 5 – 15 per dish.

Fast Food and Chain Restaurants

In China, fast food and chain restaurants have covered both Chinese and foreign food. And the cost of the meals are different. The most popular Chinese fast food restaurants are Micunban Rice, Lao Xiang Ji, Kunfu and Country Style Cooking Restaurant which mainly offer stir-fried dishes served together with rice at a price of CNY 20 – 40. And the western fast food chain restaurants include KFC, McDonald, Pizza Hut, Yoshinoya, etc. with the cost of a meals ranging from CNY 30 – 100.

Traditional Chinese Restaurants

Traditional Chinese restaurants include both royal and local cuisines, such as Beijing roast duck, Copper Pot Hot Pot, Braised pork in brown sauce. It emphasizes on seasonality and regionality, so most cuisine are cooked with local ingredients, and most restaurants are uniquely decorated with traditional elements. The cost of a meal varies from CNY 50 – 500 according to the types of restaurants.

Dining at Buffets in China

The most common buffets in China are barbecue, skewers, sea food and hotpot. In recent years, the varieties have expanded to noodles, dumplings, desserts, pastries, western fast food, Japanese cuisines, and community canteen. It is recommended to taste some local food first, such as noodles and dumplings.

In general, the cost of a meal in economy buffet restaurant in China is about CNY 30 – 40. While the others will be relatively expensive with a cost of CNY 70 – 200. Besides, in some restaurants, the price is about 30% lower during lunchtime than dinner time.

Fine Dining and Specialty Dishes

The fine dining and specialty dishes in China can be classified into imperial cuisines, Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end regional cuisines, luxury famous dishes, cultural theme restaurants, and high-end buffets. Each type has its own characteristics and price range. Its cost is the highest compared with other meals in China, with an price of about CNY 500 – 5000+ per meal.

Breakdown of Meal Costs by Meal Type

Average Cost of Breakfast in China

The most classic breakfast in China are Baozi, youtiao (deep-fried dough stick), small steamed bun, congee, soybean milk, bean curd jelly. Baozi are especially popular because of it various kinds of stuffings from vegetables to meat. Congee, rice porridge, also has different types in different regions. The traditional ones include millet porridge, pumpkin porridge, eight-treasure porridge, etc.

There are also some western breakfast popular among young people, especially in large cities, such as breads, sandwiches and milk. Roujiamo, steamed vermicelli roll and rice noodles are local specialty breakfasts. Usually, the cost of breakfast in China is about CNY 5 – 15.

How Much is Lunch in China?

Lunch in China is the main meal and is enjoyed with a variety of staple foods. The common staple food includes rice and steamed buns, which are served with hot dishes including meal dishes and vegetables dishes to balance the diet. Some people prefer to eat soup like hot and sour soup and wonton soup, which are also staple food. Noodles and dumplings are classic lunch in north China.

Because of the convenience and abundance, set meals or bento boxes are also popular, which are available in restaurants, food courts, and street stalls. In general, the cost of lunch in China is about CNY 15 – 30 depending on the type of food.

Dinner Prices: How Much Does a is Dinner in China

Dinner is more abundant in China. Locals prefer to have a dinner in a street vendor or small local restaurant to eat noodles, dumplings, skewers, or fried rice, etc. The cost is relatively lower at CNY 10 – 30. The fast food and chain restaurants are also popular choices, since the taste of the dishes is better and the costs is not too high, which is typically CNY 10 – 40 for a meal. While a big dinner like hot pot, Peking duck, seafood, international or fusion cuisines will be more expensive than others, with a cost of CNY 100 – 500.

Beverage Prices

The beverage in China is quite abundant. And you can see the milk tea shops and cafes every where in tier 1 and 2 cities. As for cafes, it covers not only cost-effective stores like Luckin and Cotti, but also international brands like Starbucks and Tims, and boutique cafes including Manner and Arabica. The prices are CNY 10 – 25, 25 – 45, 40 – 60 respectively.

Besides, a lot of chain milk tea stores spread all over China, including Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, Heytea, Nayuki’ Tea and so on. The regional characteristic tea beverages are also famous, such as Cha Yan Yue Se in Changsha city, Cha Hua Nong in Xian city and Fang Ha in Lanzhou City. The price varies from CNY 5 – 25. The various kinds of milk tea is worth trying.

Cost of Eating Out in Different Chinese Cities

Hong Kong Food Price Guide

Except the cost of meals in mainland of China, tourist may be curious about the cost in Hong Kong. The type of food in Hong Kong is quite different from mainland of China. But it also covers street food, fast food and mid-range to high-end dining. For budget eats, there are classic snacks including Curry Fish Balls, Egg Puffs, and Stuffed “Three Treasures” and staple food like Cart Noodles and BBQ Roast Meat Rice. The cost is about HKD 12 – 25. Cha Chaan Teng and fast food restaurants are popular in clerks, where offer Wonton Noodles, Char Siu Rice, Pork Chop Rice, etc with a price of HKD 50 – 150.

In addition, the local specialty high-end restaurants are favored by the local thanks to their own signature dishes, such as the roast goose in Yung Kee Restaurant, dim sum in Tim Ho Wan and Tonkotsu ramen in Ichiran Ramen. The cost of a meal in this type of restaurants are higher which is about HKD 150 – 500 +. In the scenic area such as Causeway Bay, main street in Tsim Sha Tsui, the price is higher than other areas.

Main Specialties and Its Price Range in Hong Kong

Cost of Meals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou

For common breakfast, the cost in three cities are basically the same with a price from CNY 5 – 8. While the local special breakfast is slightly different, which is about CNY 15 – 20 for the noodles with soybean paste in Beijing, 25+ for sandwich and coffee in Shanghai and 20 – 30 for morning tea in Guangzhou.

The cost of fast food and counter meal for lunch in the three cities does not vary too much, which ranges from CNY 15 – 35. And about dinner, if you choose the ordinary restaurants, the cost is also close to each other with a range of CNY 30 – 50. But if you go to the high-end local restaurants, the average cost per person in Beijing is lower than Shanghai and Guangzhou, which are CNY 150 – 200, CNY 500 – 2000 and CNY 400 – 600 respectively.

In consideration of price, Beijing is cost-effective, because if offers the largest portions and lower price. And the premium is highest in Shanghai for its direct view of landscapes, especially in The Bund and Lujiazui. In Guangzhou, the premium is controllable. While Beijing has small fluctuations.

Related reading: Top Food to Eat in Guangzhou

Main Specialties and Its Price Range in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou

How Much is Food in Xi’an and Other Tier 2 Cities?

Compared with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the cost in Xian and other tier 2 cities are relatively lower. And among all tier 2 cities, the cost of a meal is basically the same. For daily snacks and fast food, the cost for breakfast, lunch and dinner are CNY 5- 15, 25 – 45 and 20 – 50 per person separately. If you want to taste the special local cuisines, it will take about CNY 30 – 90 in ordinary restaurants and CNY 80 – 120 in high-end restaurants. The price in scenic areas are often higher in Tier 2 cities, but is acceptable.

Related reading: Top 8 Tips for a Gluten-Free Trip to China

Main Specialties and Its Price Range in Xian

Where Food/Drink Costs More

• Tourist area: The food price there is usually 30% higher than other areas due to the high rent fee of shops.
• Train stationsand airports: After security check, the choices of food are limited and passengers place more emphasis on efficiency and convenience, so the premium is obvious with 30 – 50% higher than normal situations.
• high-end restaurants: Due to the type of ingredients, brands, better environment and service, the price in high-end restaurants is about 3 – 7 folds of the ordinary ones.

How to Pay for Food and Drinks in China?

From the street stores to ordinary restaurants and high-end restaurants, almost all support the payment by Wechat, Alipay and cash. And some high-end restaurants also support pay by bank card and international credit cards.

Related reading: How to Pay in China As a Foreigner

Practical Tips to Save Money on Food in China

1. Choose the local inexpensive restaurants, you can screen out the time-honored brands with a rating of 4.5 or above on the food ordering apps such as Dianping APP.
2. You can also search and buy the groupon of the restaurant you want to go in advance in the Meituan App.
3. Avoid tourist attractions, find out the food streets the locals prefer on the internet.
4. Go to the streets next to universities, where the price is basically lower since there are almost students.

Plan Your China Food Tour with Us

If you want to taste various kinds of special during China travel, but do not know the specialties and cost of food, our travel agency is pleased to plan a food tour for you based on your preference and budget. You can follow our guide to taste the authentic local food and experience the extensive and profound food culture of China. So feel free to contact with us at any time.