Quick Answer
Taobao Flash (formerly known as Ele.me) is one of China's two major food delivery platforms. It was renamed from Ele.me to Taobao Flash in December 2025. There is no unified official English name (variously called Taobao Flash Sale, Taobao Shangou, etc.) and no standalone English interface. To get the app: search "eleme" on the App Store, or access it via the Taobao app or WeChat/Alipay Mini Programs. Together with Meituan, these two platforms cover virtually all food delivery options in China.
How to Get the App
- App Store search eleme — Search for "eleme" to find the original Ele.me app
- Within the Taobao app — Some features are integrated into the main Taobao app
- WeChat/Alipay Mini Programs — Search for the Mini Program within WeChat or Alipay
Registration
- Open the app, tap My Profile
- Register with a Chinese or international phone number
- Some versions support passport-based identity verification
- Link Alipay, WeChat Pay, or an international card for payment
Note: Registration may require a phone number. If you encounter issues with an international number, try using the Alipay or WeChat Mini Program version instead.
Ordering Food
- Open the app — the home page shows nearby restaurants
- Search for a food category (e.g., hot pot, milk tea) or browse recommendations
- Tap a restaurant to browse its menu
- Select items, then tap Submit Order
- Confirm your delivery address
- Choose payment method
- Check estimated delivery time and wait for the courier
Delivery fees are typically ¥3–10. Delivery time is usually 30–60 minutes. Use Track Order to monitor the courier.
Comparison with Meituan
- Coverage — Both cover all major cities; use them as complements
- Merchant count — Meituan generally has more merchants, but Taobao Flash may offer bigger discounts in some cities
- Promotions — Both offer first-order discounts and membership programs; compare before ordering
- Payment — Both support Alipay, WeChat Pay, and linked international cards
Practical Tips
- Use Mini Programs first — Food delivery Mini Programs within Alipay or WeChat are more foreigner-friendly and support international card payment
- Recognize icons and ratings — With the Chinese interface, rely on icons and ratings to order
- Switch to Mini Programs if registration fails — If app registration stalls at the phone number step, use the Alipay or WeChat Mini Program version
- Use your hotel name as the address — Enter the hotel name + street number for delivery to help the courier find you
- Check delivery range and time — Choose restaurants within your delivery zone with reasonable delivery times
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