To date, the relationship between the aldehyde dehydrogenases-2 (ALDH2) rs671 G> A (Glu504Lys) polymorphism and gastric cancer (GC) risk has not been thoroughly elucidated. To derive a more precise estimation of the effect of the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism on GC, we conducted this meta-analysis. We searched for qualified studies in the Embase, PubMed, Wang Fan and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association. A total of 6,421 GC patients and 8,832 control subjects were included in the present study. The pooled results indicated no significant relationship between the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism and GC susceptibility in all genetic models. A stratified analysis by country showed that the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism might be a risk factor for GC in Japan (Allele model: P unadjusted= 0.034; Dominant model: P unadjusted= 0.040); however, the result was nonsignificant when the Bonferroni correction and false discovery rate (FDR) were applied. In subgroup analyses by drinking status in the dominant model, our study revealed that the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism significantly increased the risk of GC for drinkers (dominant model: P< 0.001). No relationship between the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism and GC risk was observed in any other subgroup. Our present study indicated no association between the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism and GC risk in Eastern Asian populations. However, the ALDH2 rs671 G> A polymorphism can significantly increase GC risk for drinkers.