In the heart of bustling Dhanmondi, where car horns and café music mix in the summer air, a modest food cart stands surrounded by curious office-goers, students and families.

Behind it is 17-year-old Arif Hasan, a boy with a dream larger than his cart, to show that youth, with passion and purpose, can turn street corners into stages of success.

Once seen as a last resort for survival, street food vending is now emerging as a source of pride and entrepreneurship for Dhaka’s youths.

Food Cart Business in Bangladesh: How to Get the Food on Wheels Rolling

Every morning, Arif arrives with his cart by 8 AM, setting up gas burners, arranging fresh parathas, kebabs, and steaming cups of tea. By 10, he’s already serving dozens of customers — some regulars, some new — all drawn not just by the flavour, but the story.

“I didn’t want to beg for jobs after HSC,” says Arif, wearing a bright apron and a smile, he said, “I wanted to start something of my own. My friends laughed at me at first, but now they help me.”

Arif started the cart with just Tk 20,000, which he saved by tutoring and doing part-time delivery jobs. With a little help from a local NGO that supports youth-led enterprises, he bought a second-hand cart and began experimenting with recipes from his grandmother.

What sets his cart apart is not just the food — it’s the idea. It has a chalkboard that reads:, Proud to Serve, Proud to Dream'.

Social media quickly took notice. His Instagram reels showing street cooking hacks and customer reactions now reach thousands. His cart has become more than a business — it’s a statement.

“I come here not just for the food, but for the vibe,” says Samia Rahman, a university student. “Arif is proof that work isn’t shameful — what matters is how you carry it.”

Arif wants to expand into three more carts in the next year. His longer-term goal? A food chain owned and operated by youth.

“I want to create a space where young people can work with pride. Where a food cart isn’t seen as failure — but as freedom.”

The launch of his new cart comes at a time when youth unemployment in Bangladesh remains a pressing issue.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the unemployment rate among 15-24-year-olds stood at over 10% in 2024, with many young people struggling to transition from education to employment.

Arif’s initiative is being viewed as a small but significant example of self-reliance and innovation among urban youth.

Social media platforms have also amplified his story, with his food cart gaining viral popularity due to videos showcasing his cooking process and customer engagement.

Local NGO official Munira Parveen, who helped connect Arif with initial training, said, “This is not just about selling food. This is about showing how young people can create their own path in the informal sector with dignity and determination.”

Arif also pointed out challenges such as the lack of legal support for street vendors, absence of designated vending zones, and occasional harassment. “I just want to work in peace. I’m not stealing, I’m serving,” he said.

Urban analysts suggest that such youth-led micro-enterprises deserve formal recognition and policy-level support to ensure sustainability.

But food cart entrepreneurs in Dhaka struggle with legal, social and environmental barriers.

Despite the growing popularity of street food in Dhaka, hundreds of food cart entrepreneurs, particularly youth, continue to face major challenges in running their businesses due to legal uncertainty, lack of infrastructure and social stigma.

In recent years, food carts have become a visible part of Dhaka’s urban economy, offering affordable meals to office workers, students, and commuters.

Most of these carts,  however,  operate without official permission, making them vulnerable to eviction, harassment and extortion.

“There is no fixed place for us. One day we’re here, the next day the police ask us to leave,” said Mahmudul Hasan, a 19-year-old food cart owner operating near Dhanmondi. “Sometimes we have to pay just to stay on the footpath.”

According to vendors and rights groups, there is no clear licensing system or legal framework in place under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) or Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for mobile food carts.

As a result, vendors are often caught in a grey area of enforcement, facing arbitrary actions from local authorities.

Apart from legal issues, food cart businesses also struggle with environmental and logistical barriers. Without access to running water, electricity, or hygienic waste disposal, maintaining food safety becomes a daily challenge.

The situation worsens during the summer and monsoon seasons, when high temperatures and sudden downpours disrupt operations and reduce customer turnout.

“We cook on gas stoves without shade. In this heat, it becomes unbearable,” said Mahbub Alam, another vendor in Karwan Bazar. “But if we don’t come, we don’t eat.”

Youth-led food carts, in particular, face added social pressure. Despite showcasing entrepreneurship and self-reliance, many young vendors report being ridiculed by peers and relatives. “People think I’ve failed in life because I sell food on the street,” Arif added. “But this is my way of being independent.”

Economists and urban policy analysts argue that food carts serve an important role in employment generation and should be integrated into the city’s formal economy.

“Street food vending is part of the informal economy that fills a crucial service gap,” said urban researcher Dr. Rafiq Islam. “It’s time for city authorities to designate vending zones, provide basic services, and introduce affordable licensing mechanisms.”

At present, there are no publicly available statistics on the exact number of food carts operating in Dhaka, but estimates suggest several thousand across key commercial hubs. Many operate in areas like Gulistan, Farmgate, Mirpur, and Motijheel — often shifting locations to avoid fines.

Without policy reform, stakeholders fear that young entrepreneurs in this sector will continue to operate in precarity, unable to scale their businesses or contribute more fully to the urban economy.

Urban flavors on wheels: food cart zone brings street food into the spotlight :

As urban centers evolve, food cart zones are emerging as inclusive, low-cost, and high-impact solutions for urban employment, tourism, and food culture—bringing city streets alive with flavor and community spirit.

Gulistan Zero Point, Dhanmondi Lake Area (near Rabindra Sorobor),Hatirjheel (near Police Plaza),Mirpur-1 Stadium vicinityU, ttara Sector 7 Park area

Each zone is equipped with uniform mobile carts, sanitation facilities, proper drainage, waste disposal bins, customer seating, and nighttime lighting.

The vendors have received basic training on hygiene, customer service, and business management from Dhaka City Corporation in partnership with local NGOs and food safety departments.

22-year-old Imran Hossain, a former private university student who now runs a mobile momo and iced tea cart in Dhanmondi, shared with a smile,

"I didn’t want a desk job. This cart is my startup. I serve quality food, use Instagram for marketing, and dream of opening my own restaurant one day."

Nusrat Jahan, 25, who operates a juice and salad cart near Hatirjheel, said,

"People used to think this work was only for the poor. But now, customers respect us. I wear my apron with pride. I’m my own boss."

These youth-led carts are not just limited to traditional foods. Many offer fusion menus—think beef shingara tacos, nutrient-packed smoothies, and Japanese-style egg sandwiches—catering to health-conscious and trendy urban customers.

Urban development experts say this movement reflects a positive cultural shift in how society views informal work and self-employment.

Dr Tasnim Rahman, an urban sociologist, said, "The youth entering the street food business reflects both the spirit of innovation and the urgency of dignified livelihoods. With the right support, these small carts could fuel a much larger ecosystem of local enterprise."