Foodpanda, Rocket Internet’s online food delivery service, debuts in Southeast Asia

Hot on the heels of the launch of Amazon-like website Lazada in Southeast Asia, Rocket Internet has today unveiled another one of its new ventures: An online food delivery service called Foodpanda, which is headquartered in Singapore but also available in Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

While the Foodpanda website does not explicitly state that it is a Rocket Internet venture, the Germany-based company has long hinted that it would be launching a food delivery service through its job ads.  A furniture business is purportedly in the works as well.

Also, a check of Rocket Internet’s ACRA business profile reveals that it in fact shares the same Singapore office as Foodpanda.

So here’s how the service works: Users key in their postal code, and browse the list of restaurants that deliver to the stated address. They can then place their order and check out. Cash-on-delivery is the only payment option that’s accepted for now.

In Singapore, Foodpanda will compete for a share of the rice bowl with HungryDelivery.com, a dial-in food delivery service by HungryGoWhere.com, and EatIt.sg, which just launched in November 2011.

Some of the restaurants it is partnering with include: Sarpino’s Pizza, Ramen Ten, and The Shepard’s Pie.

In Thailand, it will have to face down rivals as well, with Chef XP and Food by Phone as the incumbents.

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