Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diversity and richness, offering a wide array of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. For restaurant owners, understanding the profitability of each dish is essential to managing costs and maximizing profits. The profitability of a dish is determined by its selling price and the cost of ingredients, labor, and overhead. Here, we delve into the five most profitable Chinese dishes based on their estimated profit margins. These dishes are chow mein, dumplings, moo shu pork, egg fried rice, and General Tso's chicken.
Chow mein
Chow mein is a popular Chinese dish that boasts a high profit margin of around 80-90%. The cost of primary ingredients such as noodles, chicken, cabbage, carrots, and onions is estimated to be around $1-$2 per serving. With a selling price of approximately $10-11, the gross profit per serving is about $8-$9. The high profit margin is due to the relatively low cost of the main ingredients and the popularity of the dish, which ensures steady sales.
To further increase the profitability of chow mein, restaurant owners can consider offering variations of the dish with different proteins like beef or shrimp, which can be sold at a higher price. Additionally, sourcing ingredients from local markets or bulk suppliers can help reduce costs.
Dumplings
Dumplings are a staple in Chinese cuisine and offer a profit margin of roughly 75-80%. The cost of ingredients such as flour, ground meat, cabbage, green onions, ginger, and garlic is estimated to be around $1-$2 for a dozen dumplings. With a selling price of about $8-$9, the gross profit per dozen is approximately $6-$7.
To enhance the profitability of dumplings, restaurants can introduce a variety of fillings to cater to different dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or seafood dumplings. Offering handmade dumplings can also justify a higher selling price due to their perceived quality and authenticity.
Moo shu pork
Moo shu pork is a flavorful Chinese dish with a profit margin of about 75-85%. The cost of main ingredients like pork, cabbage, mushrooms, green onions, bamboo shoots, and tortillas is estimated to be around $2-$3 per serving. With an average selling price of $13-$14, the profit margin is quite high.
To boost the profitability of moo shu pork, restaurants can consider offering it as part of a combo meal with rice and a side dish, which can increase the overall selling price. Additionally, using high-quality ingredients can justify a higher price point and attract discerning customers.
Egg fried rice
Egg fried rice is a simple yet satisfying dish with a profit margin of approximately 85-95%. The cost of ingredients like rice, eggs, onions, and oil/seasonings is estimated to be around $1-2 per serving. With an average selling price of $11-$12, the gross profit per serving is about $9-$10.
To increase the profitability of egg fried rice, restaurants can offer add-ons like extra vegetables, chicken, or shrimp for an additional charge. This not only increases the selling price but also allows customers to customize their dish to their liking.
General Tso's chicken
General Tso's chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish with a profit margin of around 85-95%. The cost of ingredients like chicken thighs, eggs, sugar, green onions, garlic, and ginger is estimated to be around $1-$2 per serving. With a selling price of approximately $15-$16, the gross profit per serving is about $13-$14.
To enhance the profitability of General Tso's chicken, restaurants can consider offering it as part of a set meal with rice and a side dish, which can increase the overall selling price. Additionally, using high-quality chicken and authentic ingredients can justify a higher price point and attract customers seeking a premium dining experience.
Unit prices calculated for COGS have been sourced from the following websites and Otter’s internal menu data. This content does not represent a guarantee or expert business advice.
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