Famous Street Food of Madhya Pradesh

How You Can Start Its Business Anywhere

The people of Madhya Pradesh take immense pride in their food. There are endless options for foodies, whether it is their host of traditional delicacies or lip-smacking street foods. For entrepreneurs looking to venture into a food business, the high demand for the street foods of MP provides exciting opportunities.

Read on to get all the information that you need on the most famous street foods of MP that have a market anywhere in the world. With people becoming more open to eating out and experiencing new foods, there are various options from a themed restaurant to a trendy food cart to start an MP street food business anywhere in the country.

Here is everything that you need to know about how to get started and the business’s potential.

Top Street Foods of Madhya Pradesh

It doesn’t matter what appeals to your palette. Whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, Madhya Pradesh has something to satisfy any type of food craving. Here are some delicacies that are a must-try, as recommended by the locals:

1. Bhutte Ka Kees

Corn or Bhutta is typical of MP street food. This dish is made with grated corn that is perfectly spiced and then simmered with a dash of milk to add some sweetness. Some even add mustard seeds and green chillies for an added zing to the dish. Indore is best known for this popular street food ideal for someone who likes mildly spiced foods.

2. Poha

Although one naturally associates poha with Maharashtra, MP adds a novel twist to it. Poha in MP is made with tomatoes, potato and onion with curry-leaves seasoning. It is then topped with tasty namkeen or a fried mixture, fresh coriander leaves and a generous splash of lemon juice. One of the best breakfast dishes, it tastes even better when paired with a cup of hot masala tea.

3. Seekh Kebabs

Madhya Pradesh is heavily influenced by Mughal cuisine. One of the most famous non-vegetarian street foods of the state, seekh kebab, is also derived from it. Minced meat is spiced and then wrapped around a metal skewer, also known as seekh. Then, the meat is cooked to perfection on coal. The best thing about the seekh from MP is that it simply melts in your mouth. Bhopal is known for its delicious seekh kebabs that are sold in almost every part of the city.

4. Bhopali Gosht Korma

This is a dish for the royals. It is rich in its taste and is filled with the best Indian spices. Another derivative of Mughal cuisine, Bhopali Gosht Korma, is made with mutton that is slow-cooked in a gravy that has a peppery taste. The dish was popularised in Bhopal, hence the name.

5. Biryani Pilaf

This is another excellent dish for meat-eaters. In MP, it is served with a sweet dish called zarda, which is made with rice cooked in milk and sugar and seasoned generously with almonds, pistachios, raisins, saffron and cardamom. The mix of spicy and sweet is very satisfying, making this one of the best dishes for a good lunch or dinner.

6. Mawa Bati

This is a special sweet dish that is found only in Madhya Pradesh. It resembles a large gulab jamun but is made with a mawa dough rich in dried fruits. This dough is rolled into small balls, deep-fried and then soaked in golden sugar syrup. It is topped with coconut powder or grated coconut for a nutty taste.

What Are the Opportunities To Start a Food Business?

The dishes mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg of MP cuisine. Needless to say, the richness and taste of these dishes are appreciated by people all over India. Therefore, you have multiple options to set up a food business with MP cuisine anywhere in India:

• Food Trucks or Stalls: These are mobile options that allow business owners to cater to different parts of a city. They also have lower capital investment, making it ideal for a first-time business owner.
• Cloud Restaurants: With online food delivery apps making it easier to eat in, cloud restaurants are emerging quickly in India. A cloud restaurant takes only virtual orders. You do not have to make any investments in a physical space, except a fully functioning kitchen. This model gives you the advantage of lower investment and a smaller crew, cutting down several overheads.
• Themed Restaurants: If you have the capital to invest, then a restaurant specialising in MP food and street food is a great idea. However, this requires careful planning from designing a good menu, creating the right ambience, and hiring staff for different operations.

How to Open a Street Food Business in MP?

If you are planning to open an MP street food business, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Apply for necessary licenses: The licenses vary depending upon the nature of your business. The standard licences that you will need for any food business are business registration, FSSAI license, professional tax license, GST registration and a municipal corporation trade license.
• Get Investments: Investments also depend upon the nature of the food business. For instance, a food truck can be set up with an initial capital of Rs.3 Lakhs, while the capital required for a fine dining restaurant can go up to Rs.2 crores. The best options for investment are a bank loan or your personal funds.
• Evaluate costs: You need to calculate one-time investments like the interiors and kitchen supplies and monthly operational costs, including rent, salaries, vendor fees etc.
• Calculate the profits: Calculating the APC or Average Price Per Customer is the best way to understand if your business will be profitable. This is the amount your customer will be willing to spend at your restaurant or stall. On average, in a food truck or stall, the APC is Rs.50- Rs.200 while the APC at a fine dining restaurant is Rs.1500.
• Hire the right staff: You need reliable kitchen staff, management staff and service staff to help your business run smoothly.  
• Arrange for vendors: Find multiple vendors for different raw materials to ensure you always have stock in the inventory. Ensure a proper quality check before choosing a vendor.

Conclusion

When it comes to starting a food business, you have won half the battle when you decide on your menu and theme. With MP street food, you even have the demand to match your excellent start-up idea to maximise your profits.

Also Read:

1) Famous Street Food of Manipur
2) Famous Street Food Of Kerala
3) Famous Street food of Himachal Pradesh
4) Famous Street Food Of Goa
5) OkCredit: Simple, Paperless & Secure solution for businesses

FAQs

Q. What are some popular themes for a restaurant that serves MP street food?

Ans. You can explore tribal art and culture at MP, the architecture and history of the state or even tap into the mesmerising wildlife of MP to find the perfect theme for your restaurant.

Q. What licenses do I need for a food truck?

Ans. To start a food truck business, you require a fire-safety certificate, FSSAI Mobile Vendor License, NOC from the RTO, Shop and Establishment License, Kitchen Insurance and NOC from the Municipal Corporation.

Q. Is a food truck profitable in India?

Ans. The food truck business in Indian is rapidly growing and can be profitable. However, you need to carefully calculate the APC and invest in the right marketing channels to make your business known to the target audience.

Q. Is a food cart a good idea for an MP street food business?

Ans. A food cart is a more affordable start-up option for someone new in the food business. However, make sure that you have the necessary permits for a roadside street food cart.

Q. Do I need a special license to start a street food business in India?

Ans. Besides the regular licenses like the FSSAI, professional tax license and business registration, it is essential for street food businesses to be registered with NASVI or the National Association of Street Vendors of India.