How to Start an Indomie and Fried Egg Business in Nigeria

Indomie and Fried Egg Business,African Street food

Indomie noodles and fried egg is one of the most popular street foods in Nigeria. From students to workers and even families, people love the combination of hot noodles and fried eggs because it is fast, delicious, filling, and affordable. Over the years, “Indomie joints” have sprung up in almost every corner of cities and towns, providing a quick meal option for thousands of people daily.

If you are looking for a small-scale business you can start with low capital and grow over time, an Indomie and Fried Egg business is a smart choice. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about starting this business in Nigeria—from capital requirements and location to equipment, marketing, and profitability.

Why Start an Indomie and Fried Egg Business?

High Demand – Indomie is one of the most consumed meals in Nigeria. Pairing it with fried eggs makes it even more appealing.
Low Capital Requirement – Unlike restaurants, you don’t need millions to start. With as little as ₦100,000–₦300,000 (depending on scale), you can set up.
Fast Turnover – The food is quick to prepare and sells fast, so you get daily cash flow.
Flexibility – You can operate as a roadside kiosk, a small shop, or even expand into a mini eatery over time.
Scalability – You can start small with just Indomie and eggs, then later add other items like tea, bread, spaghetti, or fried plantain.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting the Business

1. Conduct Market Research

Before diving in, study your target area. Look at questions like:

Are there already existing Indomie joints around?
How much do they sell a plate?
What type of customers buy the most? (students, office workers, night crawlers, etc.)
What time of day do people buy the most?

This research will help you understand demand and pricing. For example, in student-dominated areas, pricing should be very affordable, while in urban commercial areas, you can set higher prices.

2. Choose a Good Location

Location is everything in the Indomie and Fried Egg business. The ideal locations include:

Near schools, campuses, and hostels (students are top customers).
Close to offices and business districts.
Around nightlife areas (bars, lounges, clubs) where people want a quick meal late at night.
Busy residential areas with lots of pedestrian movement.

Make sure the location is safe, visible, and easily accessible.

3. Decide on the Scale of Your Business

You can start in different ways depending on your capital:

Roadside kiosk – A small wooden or container kiosk with seats. Cheapest to start.
Small shop or container restaurant – A more organized space with a fan or TV.
Mobile cart – Using a food cart that can be moved to different locations (common at night in busy areas).

Start small and upgrade as you grow.

4. Get Necessary Equipment and Setup

To start an Indomie and Fried Egg business, you need basic equipment:

Kiosk/Shop rental or construction (₦40,000 – ₦150,000 depending on area).
Gas cylinder and burner (₦25,000 – ₦40,000).
Frying pan, cooking pots, knives, chopping board, spoons, etc. (₦15,000 – ₦30,000).
Plates and cutlery (or disposable packs if take-away focused).
Tables and chairs for customers.
Storage items – cooler, shelves, buckets for water, etc.
Lighting – rechargeable lamp or generator if you plan to operate at night.

Optional: A small fridge if you want to sell drinks alongside.

5. Source for Ingredients and Supplies

The main raw materials are:

Indomie cartons (different sizes/flavors).
Eggs (usually bought in crates).
Vegetables (onions, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, green beans, cabbage, etc.).
Seasonings (Maggi, curry, thyme, oil, salt, etc.).
Cooking oil (vegetable oil or groundnut oil).

For cost efficiency, buy in bulk:

Carton of Indomie from wholesale distributors.
Crates of eggs from poultry farms or egg suppliers.
Vegetables from local markets in bulk.

This reduces expenses and increases your profit margin.

6. Hire Staff (Optional)

If you want to run a bigger joint, you may need help. One or two assistants can help with cutting vegetables, washing plates, or frying while you cook. If it’s a small roadside kiosk, you can start alone and expand later.

7. Decide on Menu and Pricing

Although your main business is Indomie and fried eggs, you can diversify slightly to attract more customers. Example menu:

Indomie + 1 Egg – ₦700 – ₦900
Indomie + 2 Eggs – ₦1,200 – ₦1,500
Indomie + Fried Plantain + 2 Eggs – ₦1,800 – ₦2,000
Indomie Special (with vegetables, sausages, beef, or chicken) – ₦2,000 – ₦2,500

Pricing depends on your location. In cities like Lagos and Abuja, customers are willing to pay higher than in small towns.

8. Daily Operations

Running the business successfully requires discipline:

Open at the right time (evening till midnight works best in many areas).
Keep your cooking area clean and hygienic.
Always have enough water for cooking and washing.
Be consistent with taste—customers come back when your noodles are delicious and well-prepared.
Maintain good customer service—smile, be friendly, and treat customers well.

9. Marketing Your Business

Even though it’s food, you need promotion to stand out.

Signboard: Place a bright sign with “Indomie & Egg Spot” in front of your shop.
Word of Mouth: Treat your first customers well, and they’ll bring their friends.
Social Media: Post your noodles on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp status. Food pictures attract attention!
Delivery: Partner with dispatch riders to deliver to offices or homes.

10. Estimate Capital and Profit

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Startup Costs (small scale):

Shop/kiosk setup: ₦70,000
Gas and cooking utensils: ₦50,000
Chairs & tables: ₦30,000
First stock of Indomie, eggs, oil, vegetables: ₦40,000
Miscellaneous: ₦10,000
Total: About ₦200,000 – ₦250,000

Profit Potential:
Let’s say you sell 40 plates a day:

Indomie + 2 eggs sells at ₦1,200 each → ₦48,000 per day.
Cost of preparation per plate (Indomie ₦350 + 2 eggs ₦500 + oil & veg ₦100) ≈ ₦950.
Profit per plate = ₦250.
Profit daily (40 plates) = ₦10,000.
Profit monthly (26 days) = ₦260,000.

As you can see, the business is profitable if managed well.

Tips for Success

Keep your noodles tasty and unique (add vegetables, sausages, or spice mixes).
Be consistent—customers love stability.
Start small and grow steadily.
Keep your environment clean and neat.
Build strong customer relationships.
Consider selling soft drinks, bread, or tea to boost sales.

The Indomie and Fried Egg business is one of the most promising small-scale ventures in Nigeria today. With low startup capital, high demand, and fast turnover, it is a great way to earn a steady income. Whether you are targeting students, workers, or nightlife lovers, the market is always ready.

All you need is the right location, good cooking, and consistency. If done well, you can turn a simple noodle joint into a thriving food spot that feeds hundreds of people daily while providing you with financial stability.