10 Low-Cost but Profitable Food Business Ideas in the Philippines

The food scene in the Philippines is abundant. Whether you are in one of the cities or provinces, the smell of Filipino street food is always present. So, if you are wanting to have a good profit in the country, it is a great idea to enter the food business. You don’t always need to own a restaurant or own space in the mall; a place in your home or just on the curbside will definitely do.

Here are 10 low-cost but profitable food business ideas in the Philippines that you should consider:

1. Barbecue Stall

*Isaw (chicken intestines) and Betamax (chicken blood)*

Filipino barbecue has a lot of varieties from your usual pork and chicken meat cuts to hotdogs, sausages, intestines (isaw), liver, and even blood. These barbecue stalls come out during merienda time until midnight and fill the streets with their smoky delicious aroma. Barbecue stalls are a sought-after merienda, dining, and pulutan option after school classes and office work.

You need to ace the recipe of your marinade, sauces, and vinegar dip because these would make the customers return to your stall regularly. All you need for this business aside from the ingredients is a good quality grill and you are all set. We also suggest using a flat-top and high-quality cooler to keep meat fresh and safe before it is grilled.

2. Siomai Kiosk

*Siomai with Calamansi, Soy Sauce, & Chili Garlic Oil*

Siomai is a traditional Chinese dumpling that Filipinos love. It is usually made of chopped shrimp and ground beef or pork. Many varieties of this dumpling are coming out and still continue to grow. A siomai kiosk is a popular food business investment. Starting from Php 25,000, you can franchise a siomai kiosk. The price can be lower if you know how to make delicious siomai yourself and plan not to get a franchise.

3. Fish Ball Cart

It is a common sight to see food vendors selling fish balls on the streets here in the Philippines. Fish balls can be homemade or store-bought and served in flat or round balls. These are then fried in front of customers, skewered, and then dip into sweet or spicy sauces. You can add the also popular kikiam and squid balls to your menu.

Fish balls are usually sold at a cheap price of Php 0.50 per piece. Others sell them for Php 10 or Php 15 per stick. To start this business, you will only need a cart, gas, deep-pan, fish balls, and sauces.

4. Ice Cream Cart

Ice cream that is sold on the streets by food vendors in the Philippines is commonly called sorbetes. It is usually made from coconut milk and comes in different flavors like cheese, ube, strawberry, and chocolate. The climate in the Philippines is almost hot throughout the year, so the ice cream business is a hit!

Sorbetes are sold in carts where the tubs are kept frozen with ice and salt. It is served in sugar or wafer cones and sometimes buns. A single-serve is very affordable at Php 10 or less.

5. Balut Business

Another popular street food sold by vendors across the country is balut. A Filipino delicacy that consists of a fertilized duck egg that has been incubated for approximately 18 days. It is eaten by cracking a small portion of the egg on top and then sipping the tasty soup inside. Then swallow all the contents including the duck embryo by adding salt or spiced vinegar.

Although this food is not for everyone, it still remains one of the most popular and profitable street foods in the Philippines that you can start at a low capital.

6. Corn Stall

Corn is one snack that will never run out in the Philippines. Corn stalls sell them either grilled or steamed. Others sell them in cups seasoned with powdered cheese and melted butter. If you decide to enter this business venture the bulk of your expenses will be ordering corn and that is quite easy because corn is very common in the country.

7. Fried Peanuts Cart

Fried peanuts in garlic and salt are quite addicting to snack on and are a favorite by Filipinos. Young and old love to munch on them especially with toasted garlic. They are being sold packed in plastic or served while hot in paper bags. This business is quite simple to operate and you can do everything at home. It is very profitable too.

8. Fried Chicken Stand

Fried chicken with steamed rice is considered a comfort meal for many Filipinos. Most local and international fast-food brands in the Philippines have fried chicken on their menu since they know how much Filipinos likes them especially with a bowl full of gravy to dip.

If you want to put up a fried chicken stand, make sure to have steamed rice as an add-on so it will surely make your business a hit. You might also want to offer fries on the side to win customers over. Everything will just be fried so you don’t need to be a professional chef to start.

9. Green Mango Stand

*Sliced Green Mango with Bagoong on a Stick*

Filipinos love to snack on green mangoes because of their crunchiness and sour taste, especially when paired with bagoong, a fermented shrimp paste. The Philippines never runs out of mangoes so a green mango stand is a great low-cost business venture! You will need to find great deals for good-quality mangoes and good-tasting bagoong. Surely, you will have a green mango stand that many will patronize.

10. Shake Cart

A shake cart is another low-cost business idea in the Philippines because the country is abundant in fruits. Aside from that, Filipinos love sweet and cold drinks because of the hot weather. Flavors such as mango, buko, and avocado are best-sellers so make sure to add them to the menu.

Whatever food business you get into, make sure that you prioritize good quality and cleanliness so you will have customers that will love your products and will keep coming back for more.