A Slower Life, One Meal at a Time
Since retiring, my days have changed pace. No more morning meetings, no more crowded buses. Now, I begin my day quietly — often with tea in one hand, my phone in the other, planning the meals ahead.
Grocery shopping used to be a full afternoon activity. Now, much of it happens through an app. As a retiree living in Beijing on a middle income, I rely mostly on online grocery shopping to fill my kitchen with fresh vegetables, rice, meat, cooking oil, tofu, and whatever else I might need for my three simple meals a day.
And while it may sound high-tech, the rhythm of cooking for myself feels more traditional than ever.
Online Shopping in a Retiree’s Life in Beijing
I mostly use Sam’s Club in Beijing , a popular chain grocery in China and it has a wonderful delivery app also. It’s simple, fast, and reliable — I can place an order at 9:00 AM and have everything on my doorstep within one hour!
My major online grocery shopping apps
On some days, I also use JD.com, especially if I want something that I cannot find in Sam’s Club.
Here’s my typical order from Sam Club and JD.com.
- Rice (5kg bag)
- Oliver oil (one bottle from Spain or Italy)
- Chicken drumsticks or pork slices
- Beef from Australia
- Salmon Fish from Norway
- Local tomatoes, spinach, lotus root
- Avocado from Mexico
- Blue berries from Peru
- Local Tofu, eggs, scallions, ginger
- A few apples or mandarins, depending on the season
I used to write grocery lists on paper. Now I tap my fingers across a screen — the thinking is the same, only the method has changed.
The Homepage of Sam’s Club App Today ( English Version)
For someone my age, learning how to shop online felt unfamiliar at first. But during the pandemic, it became a necessity. Many retirees in my neighborhood gradually picked it up too — often with the help of children or neighbors. Now, it’s part of daily life.
When I Still Go to the Supermarket
Even though I do most of my shopping online, I still visit the nearby supermarket once or twice a week.
There are things I prefer to choose by hand — especially fresh tofu, spring onions, and the occasional steamed buns made in-store. Sometimes I just enjoy walking the aisles, looking at seasonal products, or chatting with the shopkeeper about what’s freshest that day.
A Hualian Grocery Store in my community
A short walk to the market also gives me a small chance to move my body and see familiar faces. I often see other retirees comparing egg prices or exchanging recipes. It’s not about the groceries — it’s about the rhythm of life.
What My Meals Look Like
My cooking is simple, but balanced — like many Chinese homes.
Breakfast might be a bowl of millet porridge, two boiled eggs, and a steamed slice of pumpkin or sweet patato.
Lunch could be steamed pork, or beef or fish with vegetables and rice.
Dinner is usually lighter — maybe tofu with cabbage soup and some Chinese yam.
Everything I cook comes from what I order or buy nearby. Nothing fancy, but every bite feels like home.
A Reflection on Daily Life in Modern China
Sometimes people think of China as crowded cities, fast trains, or big factories. But daily life in China — especially for retirees like me — is calm, deliberate, and quiet.
We blend the old with the new.
I shop with an app, but I cook like my mother did.
I eat alone sometimes, but the flavors remind me of family.
I use a smartphone every day — not to scroll, but to choose tomorrow’s carrots.
If you ever wonder what life is really like behind the big cities and tourist spots — think of someone like me, quietly tapping on my phone in the morning, planning lunch.
Grocery shopping may seem small. But it’s how I care for myself, how I stay connected to tradition, and how I continue discovering joy in everyday routines.
So if you’re traveling through China — maybe take a detour to a local market. Or ask someone what they had for breakfast. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Written by Ruqin
Founder of Ruqin China Travel
📍 Based in Beijing
🗺️Further Reading
Beijing is My Second Hometown – Calm and Down to Earth – Ruqin China Travel
My Wife’s Fractured Right Ankle – Ruqin China Travel
My Father, the Happy Military Veteran of Gan Xiu Suo – Ruqin China Travel
Grandma’s Hanging Basket: A Memoir of Resilience and Love – Ruqin China Travel
The Street Cleaners in Beijing – Ruqin China Travel
