Esophageal cancer threatens the lives and health of humans for a long time owing to its high morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment is still the first choice for early-stage esophageal cancer now, but its high mortality and complication rate during perioperative period cause a huge physiological and psychological burden on patients. The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) was first proposed for colorectal surgery, and later promoted to other surgical fields. Its application in esophagectomy successfully reduces the high mortality and complication rate in the perioperative stage and promotes the rapid recovery of patients. However, the application of ERAS in the field of esophageal cancer is relatively late, and its promotion and application are relatively limited compared to other surgical procedures. In this paper, we review the relevant literature at home and abroad in combination with the current progress of ERAS application of esophageal cancer in China. We also summarize the relevant problems related to the implementation of ERAS, in order to help the promotion and application of ERAS in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer.