Grocery shopping in China: wet markets, supermarkets and 30-minute delivery

✅ Updated May 2026

Eating well in China is easy and inexpensive. Neighborhood wet markets (菜市场) and fruit shops are everywhere, restocked daily with a huge variety of vegetables and seasonal fruit — leafy greens, dozens of mushrooms, tofu in many forms, and fruit from lychee, mango, and dragon fruit to pomelo, persimmon, and hami melon — usually at a fraction of Western prices. At a market you can point at what you want or use a translation app, and the stall will weigh and total everything on a scale. Supermarkets cover everything else, and delivery apps (Meituan, Hema/Freshippo, Dingdong) bring fresh produce to your door in under an hour. Imported goods are easiest at international supermarkets or through those apps. Buy what is in season for the best price and flavour, and bring your own bag or buy one at checkout. Cooking at home is cheap — but with street food and restaurants this affordable, so is eating out.