As soon as a campus canteen in Tongji University launched a take away food delivery service, nearby residents and office workers have been snatching up meals.

Reputed to be one of the best lunchrooms among Shanghai’s universities, due to the appetizing but inexpensive food, Tongji’s canteens have long been coveted by outsiders. Thus, the Nanyuan Canteen, one of several on campus, opening its meal delivery service to the public has been widely welcomed by those living or working nearby.

“I often order a meal from the university canteen at 5 o’clock, and have it half an hour later in my office,” said Mr. Dai, who graduated from Tongji University and now works near it. In his words, the university canteens’ food makes him feel at ease. Others like him also praise that they can once again enjoy the “unique taste of campus” after graduation.

According to Ye Yang, the general manager of the university’s logistics group, every day before 11 am, the meals will be sold out. The canteen reaps an average of 500 orders each day with the record being 550. Most of the customers are neighboring people and Tongji teachers.

The first batch of meals launched online are the 40 dishes favored by Tongji students. The food price is 20% to 30% lower than the average market price.

For employees of more than 2000 companies in the technology park near the university, most of which are small and medium enterprises, the affordable and healthy workday meals are no doubt a blessing.