How to Order Food by QR Code in China

Check what the restaurant QR code opens

A restaurant code may open a website, Alipay or WeChat mini program, membership account or payment page. Some menus let you browse before logging in; others request a phone number, table number or location access. Follow the instructions for that restaurant, since the steps vary.

Scan only the code displayed on the table, menu, counter or official receipt and confirm the restaurant name before ordering. A sticker placed over another code, an unrelated personal account or a request to install an unknown app is a reason to stop and ask staff. Do not grant contacts, microphone, photo library or precise-location access unless the task clearly needs it.

Check each stage before moving on. Items in a cart have not yet been ordered, and a submitted order may still need payment. After paying, confirm that the kitchen accepted every item. Ask staff if the table, items or amount on the final screen are wrong.

Scan the code and check the table

Use the scanner inside the app the restaurant names or the phone camera when the code is a normal web link. Check the domain or mini-program identity before granting access. If the menu demands a mainland phone number or account you cannot provide, ask for a paper menu, staff device or counter order. Do not borrow another customer's verified account.

The app may have an English interface while the restaurant's dish names and options remain in Chinese. Try built-in translation or, if permitted, translate a screenshot and check with staff. Photos do not list ingredients, a pepper icon may miss some sources of spice, and a vegetarian label may not explain the stock or cooking oil.

Keep the table number visible. In some systems scanning the table code assigns the order automatically; changing tables or scanning a code near the entrance can send food elsewhere. Before submission, compare the table on screen with the physical marker and show both to staff if they differ.

Translate dish names, sizes and modifiers

Read the small text as well as the dish name. It may list portion size, required sides, preparation, spice level, add-ons or a minimum order. The displayed price could be a deposit, half portion, per-person charge or optional item. Check the quantity and total in your cart.

For an unfamiliar dish, ask what the main ingredient is, whether the price is per portion or per person, and which required options are already selected. Point to the item and show a translated question so staff can answer the specific detail you need.

Use short bilingual phrases: 'Do you have an English menu?' is 有英文菜单吗？; 'I want this one' is 我要这个; 'Is this dish spicy?' is 这道菜辣吗？; and 'Please make it not spicy' is 请不要放辣. These phrases help start the conversation but do not guarantee an ingredient or allergy outcome.

• Check portion, quantity, required options and final cart price.
• Confirm the table number before submission.
• Treat photos and automatic translation as clues, not ingredient guarantees.
• Ask staff when a modifier changes the dish or price.

Discuss allergies and dietary needs with staff

A QR menu is not a reliable allergy-control system. Ingredient lists can be incomplete, recipes can change and cross-contact may occur in shared oil, woks, grills or preparation areas. For a severe allergy, tell staff before ordering, show a professionally translated allergy card and ask whether the kitchen can safely accommodate it. If the answer is uncertain, choose another venue or a sealed product with a label you can verify.

Explain whether your request is a preference or a medical requirement. Not spicy, vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and a specific anaphylactic allergy mean different things. Even without visible meat, a dish may contain stock, lard or oyster sauce, or share cooking equipment with other food. Ask about the ingredients and preparation that affect you.

Do not ask a translation model to certify that a dish is safe. It can translate your stated restriction and the restaurant's answer, but it cannot inspect the kitchen. Carry prescribed emergency medicine and know the medical plan. If an allergic reaction begins, stop eating and seek appropriate care; call 120 for a medical emergency.

Check the payment before trying again

Chinese government guidance lists mobile payments, bank cards and cash for overseas visitors. For mobile payment, you may scan a merchant collection code or show your payment code. Your linked international card can still be declined by the issuer, wallet or merchant. Keep another payment method ready and check any fee before confirming.

Check the merchant name and amount on the wallet's authorization screen. A QR menu can route payment through the restaurant, a food platform or a property operator; the name may differ, but it should be explainable by staff. Never send money to a personal code because someone says the restaurant system is broken unless the cashier verifies the official recovery process and gives a receipt.

After tapping Pay, wait for the transaction result. If the page hangs, check wallet history and ask staff to check the merchant record before trying again. A pending bank authorization, successful wallet payment and accepted restaurant order are different records. Save the order number and payment result until every item arrives and any refund is resolved.

Ask staff to take your order if the app fails

To ask 'Can I order directly?', show 我可以直接点餐吗？. Request a paper menu or staff device, point to the dish and confirm quantity, table and price. Ask staff to explain the available way to order without the app; options vary by restaurant.

If a restaurant refuses cash, ask for the manager and a receipt. Current national payment policy supports multiple payment methods and requires staffed businesses to accept RMB cash, subject to limited exceptions. Stay calm, document the merchant and amount without photographing other customers, and use another method if necessary to resolve the bill.

If the wrong food arrives, show the order record rather than arguing from memory. If an item is unavailable, confirm whether it was removed, substituted or refunded. For a refund, record whether it returns to the wallet balance, card or another channel and the stated timing. Do not let a staff member take an unlocked phone out of sight to 'fix' the transaction.