22 Promising Food Business Ideas for Beginners in 2025 with Low Capital!

After three years of the pandemic, the culinary industry is gradually recovering. According to Industry Research Data - a data center for various industries in Indonesia - which conducted research on food and beverage industry trends from 2011 to early 2023.

After a three-year pandemic, the culinary industry has shown remarkable recovery. 

According to the latest data from Badan Pusat Stastika (BPS) as of Q3 2024, the Indonesian economy grew by 5.03%.

From the production side, the Accommodation and Food and Beverage Service sector recorded the highest growth at 9.29%, making it one of the most significant contributors to the national economy.

This growth presents a golden opportunity for you to start a culinary business. With a vast market potential, 2025 is the perfect time to explore food business ideas. 

By planning carefully from 2024, you can confidently begin your journey in the coming year.

Here are some food business ideas you can try in 2025, along with the trends and opportunities they offer:

1. Personalized Healthy Catering

A healthy and nutritious diet has become an essential part of everyday life for many Indonesians, driven by trends like gym workouts, marathons, and pilates.

You can take advantage of this opportunity by starting a healthy catering business that offers personalized menus based on customers' needs.

For example, you can provide meal preps for diet programs, menus for people with allergies, or healthy meal boxes tailored for gym and pilates enthusiasts. To start, collaborate with gyms or local fitness communities to market your products.

With innovation and a focus on customer convenience, your healthy catering business can grow quickly.

2. Vegetarian or Plant-Based Restaurants

Source: Jakpat

Indonesia is becoming increasingly friendly toward vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. According to a recent survey by JAKPAT (2023), around 2% of Indonesians—more than 5 million people—are vegetarians, and this trend continues to grow.

Plant-based food businesses are not only appealing to vegetarians but also to flexitarians, who reduce meat consumption for health or environmental reasons.

You can offer menus featuring tofu, tempeh, leafy greens, and plant-based meat alternatives. With innovative flavors, you can reach consumers seeking delicious and nutritious alternatives.

Targeting areas like Bali, Jakarta, and Batam—where the number of vegan restaurants is the highest—can give you a great start. From small-scale restaurants to modern packaging, this business promises long-term profits.

3. Spicy Food Delights

As a nation of spice lovers, Indonesia offers tremendous opportunities for those wanting to start a spicy food business. 

From Sabang to Merauke, the majority of Indonesians enjoy dishes with a spicy kick.

Some popular menu options you can offer include:

• Seblak

• Spicy noodles with customizable heat levels

• Ayam geprek

• Oseng mercon

• Traditional sambals (like sambal matah, terasi, or dabu-dabu).

The key to success in the spicy food business is innovation. Create unique flavors or offer varying levels of spiciness to attract customers’ attention.

4. Frozen Food: Practical and Popular

Source: Jakpat

The frozen food market in Indonesia has now reached Rp 200 trillion, with significant growth driven by the increasingly busy urban lifestyle. 

This shift reflects evolving consumer preferences, which have had a notable impact on frozen food consumption trends.

Based on a survey of 1,245 respondents conducted on November 7–8, 2024, the report highlights trends in frozen food consumption, including the most popular frozen food categories and brand awareness. 

You can tap into this market by starting with products like meatballs, dim sum, nuggets, pempek, or frozen vegetables. 

With an initial investment of around Rp 10–20 million, you can launch your business from home.

5. Modernized Local Street Food

Local dishes like meatballs, chicken noodles, martabak, and fried rice always hold a special place in the hearts of Indonesians.

By giving a modern touch to these traditional dishes—such as digitizing orders through QR Codes, offering cashless payments, or using attractive packaging—you can attract a broader customer base.

According to a survey by Goodstats.id (2022), 71% of Indonesians, including younger generations, prefer local food over modern dishes. 

You can use this insight to build a local food business with relevant marketing strategies, such as social media presence or collaboration with food delivery platforms.

6. Rice Box

Rice boxes are a popular food business choice, especially among office workers and students. Rice boxes are practical, easy to carry, and usually contain rice with various side dishes. You can offer a variety of menu options to differentiate your rice box from others.

7. Sambal

For spice lovers, sambal is an essential companion to every dish. A sambal business can be highly profitable, especially if you can create unique and different flavors. From sambal terasi, sambal bawang, to sambal matah, you can offer a variety of sambals that are loved by many.

8. Dimsum

Source: freepik.com

 

Dimsum businesses have great potential because many people enjoy this dish, whether as a snack or a main course. To start a dimsum business, you can sell online or open a stall in a busy area, such as a mall or shopping center.

9. Risol

Risol businesses can be highly profitable, especially if you can offer flavor variations that differ from those typically sold in the market. You can sell risols in both small and large sizes, depending on customer preferences. Risol is also a great choice for events such as gatherings, parties, or birthdays.

10. Seblak

Seblak businesses have significant opportunities, especially among young people who love spicy and unique foods. If you are interested in starting a seblak business, you can try offering various levels of spiciness and toppings to attract customers.

11. Baso Aci

Made from aci (tapioca flour) shaped into small balls, baso aci is usually served with broth and sambal. This business is highly profitable due to its affordable price and delicious taste. You can create various versions of baso aci, such as baso aci tulang rangu or baso aci with minced meat fillings to provide more variety.

12. Cireng

Cireng can be served in various forms, such as cireng with chicken filling, cheese filling, or sambal sauce. To attract customers, you can create cireng with flavors different from those usually sold in the market, offering affordable prices.

Read more: 15 Profitable Franchise Business Recommendations for 2025

13. Chips

From cassava chips, potato chips, to banana chips, you can create various types of chips that are popular with many people. With attractive packaging, a variety of chips can become a profitable business opportunity.

14. Fruit Salad

A fruit salad business offers refreshing food that is perfect for health-conscious individuals. You can create variations of fruit salads using various fresh fruits and delicious toppings.

15. Desert Box

Dessert box businesses are becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people who enjoy sweet foods. You can offer various types of desserts, such as tiramisu, red velvet, or brownies. With attractive presentation, dessert boxes can become a promising business option.

16. Pudding

You can make various pudding variations, such as chocolate pudding, milk pudding, or fruit pudding. The pudding business is highly promising because it can be enjoyed by all ages, from children to adults.

17. Donuts

Donuts are a timeless snack. This food is already well-known in Indonesia, and the donut business always offers great opportunities. You can create different types of donuts, from jam-filled donuts, chocolate donuts, to donuts with unique toppings.

18. Soft Cookies

Source: freepik.com

 

Soft cookies are sweet snacks with a soft and chewy texture. The soft cookie business can be highly profitable, especially if you can offer different and interesting flavor variations. 

You can make cookies filled with chocolate, nuts, or even trendy cookies with mochi filling.

19. Pancakes and Waffles

Pancake and waffle businesses have great potential because they can be served with various toppings, from fruits, chocolate, to ice cream. You can start a pancake and waffle business in a busy location or offer online delivery.

20. Crepes

Crepes are thin pancakes that can be filled with various ingredients, such as chocolate, cheese, or fresh fruit. 

The crepe business has great opportunities because it can serve as both a snack and a dessert. You can offer various flavor variations to attract more customers.

21. Mini Pizzas

Mini pizzas are small pizzas that are practical and easy to carry. The mini pizza business is perfect for people who love fast food. You can offer mini pizzas with various toppings, from pepperoni to fresh vegetables.

22. Modern Beverages

Modern beverages like boba, milk tea, and smoothies continue to be popular among young people. The trendy beverage business offers great potential, especially if you can create drinks with unique and attractive flavors. With high-quality ingredients and innovative taste combinations, trendy beverages can be a promising business option.

Read more: Food Business Ideas for Beginners in 2025: Golden Opportunities in the Growing Culinary Industry

Conclusion

Starting a food business requires creativity and perseverance, but with the right choice, you can create a profitable venture. Each of the food business ideas discussed above holds significant potential, especially if you manage it well.  

Looking for an easier way to manage your food business? Take advantage of solutions from ESB, such as ESB POS Lite. 

 

With ESB POS Lite, a complete cashier app designed for MSMEs, you can easily accept digital payments and QRIS, plus enjoy free integration with GrabFood and GoFood. With its simple bookkeeping feature, everything becomes more practical. Consult with ESB today about your business needs!

Read more: The Best Cashier Application for Restaurants and Small Businesses Complete 2025

Inspiration from Successful Local Brands in Indonesia

If you need motivation, here are some successful local culinary brands:

1. Tuku

This local coffee brand popularized the concept of affordable, modern coffee. Besides generating daily revenue of up to Rp 1 billion, Tuku made history as the first local brand to acquire the naming rights for Cipete MRT Station. 

Tuku’s success demonstrates how flavor innovation, competitive pricing, and strategic locations can be the keys to culinary business success.

2. HokBen

As the first Japanese restaurant in Indonesia, HokBen has remained relevant by adapting its menu to local tastes and maintaining consistent service.

3. Kebab Baba Rafi

Starting from a small cart, Kebab Baba Rafi has become the world’s largest kebab franchise. Its strong franchise system and product innovation have helped the brand expand internationally.

4. Mie Gacoan

This noodle restaurant with a modern concept has captivated younger generations. Offering spicy noodles with customizable heat levels and affordable prices, Mie Gacoan has become one of the most popular local brands.

5. Burgreens

As a plant-based and healthy food restaurant, Burgreens successfully caters to consumers who care about health and sustainability. Its focus on flavor and quality has made Burgreens a pioneer in its segment.

Read more: Understanding Fixed Costs and Their Importance in Business

Closing

2025 is the perfect moment for you to start a food business. With positive growth in the food and beverage industry, the opportunities for success are wide open.

However, to stay competitive in a crowded market, you need solid strategies and reliable technology to support your operations.

With ESB, your culinary business will be better prepared to thrive in the digital era. Here are some benefits you can gain:

• Digital Ordering: Your customers can order through QR Codes and pay cashlessly.
• Efficient Operations Management: Easily manage stock, track orders, and generate financial reports through ESB’s ERP system.
• Modern Innovations: Enhance your customers’ experience with tech-based services.

Start your culinary business confidently with ESB POS & POSlite. Request a demo ESB today and take your business to the next level in the digital era.

 

Prepare for success in 2025 with ESB!