(Yicai Global) Nov. 10 -- Chinese ridehailing giant Didi Chuxing has launched a takeout service in the northern city of Tianjin, its second foray into China’s food delivery sector after an initial flop, China Fund reported today, citing people familiar with the matter.

Aoao Chifan is only available at present to those on the Tianjin University, Nankai University and Tianjin Medical University campuses, the report said. Take the Balitai campus of Nankai University as an example, there are only 10 restaurants to choose from but the average price of a meal is under CNY10 (USD1.60) and delivery is free. Delivery times are between 30 and 45 minutes.

At present, customers can only order meals through its WeChat mini program. There are also two apps for vendors, Aoao Chifan Merchant and Aoao Xianfeng. The apps are run by Beijing Sadisifan Food and Beverage Management, a company whose main stakeholders and executives come from Beijing-based Didi.

Didi already offers food delivery services in many countries abroad. However, the Chinese market has proved harder to penetrate and the company’s attempt to compete with takeout giant Meituan in 2018 ended in failure.

Didi is likely exploring other revenue streams after the carsharing firm got into serious trouble with regulators earlier this year for its improper handling of user data. The Didi Chuxing app has been removed from platforms and has yet to be restored.

Editor: Kim Taylor