Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. This meal is often heavily shaped by the country’s traditions, geography, climate and locally produced ingredients. While all breakfast food around the world may not be the same, they are still an important way of getting your day started off right. From a light pastry to a hearty rice dish, from a comforting soup to a rich spread of meat and cheese, these traditional breakfast from around the world are a treat to your tastebuds. This global breakfast guide highlights what people eat in 35 different countries across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.
Table of Contents
What Does Breakfast Food Look Like Around The World
Whichever part of the world we are in, the first meal of the day (breakfast) is very important. While in some places the first meal of the day may be special with varieties to choose from, in other parts it may be just like any other meal. Just like the people who eat them, breakfast foods come in different shapes and sizes.
1. Brazil – South America
Breakfast in Brazil is light and simple compared to any other part of the world. The most important part of the morning ritual is a cup of strong coffee which is accompanied by dishes like pão de queijo (cheese-flavored rolls), ham, cheese, pao frances (small loaves of bread eaten with butter), fruits like papayas or any other seasonal fruit.
Must Try Traditional Brazilian Breakfast: Brazilian Cornmeal Cake, Pingado with French Bread, Açaí Bowl
2. Cambodia – Southeast Asia
A typical Cambodian breakfast is kuy teav, a rice noodle soup made with pork or beef broth, along with shallots, garlic, and herbs. Other ingredients like bean-sprout, vegetables, dry onion are added to make the dish tastier. It is served with pork or fish balls, chili paste, soya sauce and half a lime.
Must Try Cambodian Breakfast Staple: Bobor, Nom banh chok, Bai sach chrouk, Kuy Teav
Also Read: 13 Cambodian dishes you must try.
3. China – East Asia
China being a large country, breakfast can look different from region to region. It consists of noodles, rice, sticky chicken, fried veggies, dim sums, steamed buns, and hot soups like congee. However, one common feature is fried dough sticks (called you tiao), which are eaten with warm soy milk.
Must Try Regional Chinese Breakfasts: Wontons and dumplings, Jian Bing, Douhua
Book Now: Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Walking Tour
4. Colombia – South America
There are many regional varieties to the Colombian breakfast, however arepas (dense, slightly sweet corn cakes) served with butter, or eggs, meat, and jam, and the changua (an egg, cheese, and milk soup) are the two popular ones. A traditional Colombian breakfast also calls for a strong cup of coffee to kick start a busy day.
Must Try Colombian Breakfast Dishes: Bandeja Paisa, Caldo de Costilla, Huevos Pericos
Also read: Amazing traditional Colombian Dishes you must try.
5. Costa Rica – Central America
For the people of Costa Rica breakfast is the main meal of the day. The most popular breakfast in Costa Rica is gallo pinto. It is made with leftover rice stir-fried with black beans, red pepper, and onions. It is topped with salsa and sour cream and served with eggs, avocado, cheese, sausages or tortillas.
Must Try Costa Rica’s Signature Breakfast: Chorreadas, Tamale, Desayuno Tipico, Gallo Pinto
6. Denmark – Northern Europe
Breakfast in Denmark, like most Nordic countries, is light, fresh and simple. It is usually an open-faced sandwich covered with various spreads, sometimes accompanied by a pastry. Other popular breakfast dishes among the Danes are cereals and porridge. Danish breakfasts are always paired with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
Must Try Light Scandinavian Breakfast: Røget ål med røræg, Danish Omelet, Øllebrød (traditional rye bread porridge)
7. Egypt – North Africa
An Egyptian breakfast is not complete without ‘Ful’. Ful medames is the most popular breakfast item that’s made with fava beans and chickpeas stewed and spiced with cumin, parsley, onion, lemon, and chilli. It is served with hard-boiled eggs, diced veggies, or a piece of pita.
Must Try Egypt’s National Breakfast: Ful Medames, Tameeya (Falafel), Beid Bel Basturma
Book Now: Egyptian Coffee Tasting and Local Breakfast
8. France – Western Europe
A French breakfast is not usually heavy; they generally like to start the day with simple food. It usually consists of coffee or tea or fresh juice along with bread and butter or pastries and croissants. Butter is the most important ingredient in French breakfasts and are used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Must Try Classic French Breakfast: Crêpes, Brioche
Also read: French food customs to keep in mind.
9. Germany – Western Europe
A traditional German breakfast, or frühstuck, is a simple affair. It often consists of an assortment of fresh bread, sausages, cold sliced meats, local cheeses, butter, and jam. This is washed down with coffee, milk, or tea.
Must Try Traditional German Dishes: Eierkuchen, Mettbrötchen, Bauernfrühstück
10. Greece – Mediterranean Europe
Greek and Mediterranean breakfasts are made up of various dishes. The most popular are savory pies (such as spanakopita) or kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and feta). A full breakfast has olives, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, yoghurt, bread, paximadia, honey, hard-boiled eggs, orange juice and coffee or tea. A wholesome Greek breakfast is always high in nutrition and provides good energy.
Must Try Nutritious Greek Breakfast: Koulouri Thessalonikis, Feta Cheese Salad, Strapatsada
Also read: Delicious authentic Greek food to try.
11. Hungary – Central Europe
Hungarians mostly prefer sweet and savory dishes instead of spicy meals for breakfast. A typical Hungarian breakfast consists of pogácsa, a focaccia-like bread that can be stuffed with potatoes, ground beef, or cheese. Hot drinks like a cup of tea, coffee, or milk are often a part of breakfast.
Must Try Sweet & Savory Hungarian Breakfast: Túróstáska, brødskiver
12. India – South & North Asia
Breakfast in India hugely depends on the region. South India favors idli, dosa, sambar, and chutneys, while North India features parathas, aloo-puri, and stuffed breads. Rice-based and lentil-based dishes are dietary staples across regions.Must Try Regional Indian Breakfasts: Chole Bhature, Khaman Dhokla, Rava Uttapam, Masala Dosa
13. Iran – Middle East
A traditional Iranian breakfast consists of varieties of flatbreads (such as barbari, noon-e sangak, lavash, or noon-e tâftoon), served with butter, fruit jams, honey, heavy cream, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, and walnuts. This is accompanied with chai shirin, a tea with granulated sugar, had only at breakfast.
Must Try Traditional Iranian Breakfast: Balang jam, Kalle Pache
14. Israel – Middle East
Israel is known for its kibbutz breakfast of various dishes like breads with a variety of cheeses, omelette, tuna, olives, butter, jams, salad and spreads. However, another popular dish the Shakshouka (eggs poached in a tomato sauce) is the most easily identifiable Israeli breakfast item. Plenty of fruits, vegetables and juices, completes the breakfast spread.
Must Try Iconic Israeli Breakfast: tzatziki, Jachnun, Matzah brei, Shakshouka
15. Italy – Southern Europe
An Italian breakfast is generally very light which commonly include a cappuccino with a cornetto or other pastry. They tend to stick to simple uncooked breakfasts like bread, butter, and jam. Many households serve delicious pastries or pancakes alongside Italian coffee.
Must Try Light Italian Breakfast: Pasticciotto, Brioche con gelato, Frittata al tartufo
Book Now: Italian Style Breakfast
16. Jamaica – Caribbean
Jamaicans often eat a savory dish of ackee and saltfish in the morning. It is also the country’s official national dish. It’s served with salted cod, onions, tomatoes, spices, rice, and fried plantains. They also serve porridge made of grated banana or plantain simmered with milk, vanilla, and sweetener.
Must Try Jamaica’s National Dishes: Roast Breadfruit, Saltfish Fritters, Caribbean Boiled Dumplings
17. Japan – East Asia
A typical breakfast in Japan is a nutritious affair that has everything from rice to veggies and soups to salads. Traditional Japanese breakfasts (known as wafuu breakfast) are made up of many little dishes. These include rice, miso soup, sticky soybeans, nori seaweed, pickled vegetables, and fish or omelettes.
Must Try Traditional Japanese Breakfast: Tamagoyaki, Shokupan, Onigiri
18. Korea – East Asia
Korean breakfasts are very similar to their lunch or dinner, so, the leftovers from dinner the night before are eaten as breakfast the next day. There is usually a bowl of rice, vegetable soup, some fish or beef, and a plate of kimchi which is a traditional spicy pickled cabbage.
Must Try Hearty Korean Breakfast: Korean Street Toast, Hotteok, Kimchi Pancakes
19. Lebanon – Middle East
Lebanese breakfasts often consist of a combination of various staples. These include flatbreads (manakish) covered in zata’ar, creamy labne, cheese, tomatoes, olives, eggs, foul mudammas, shakshuka, tea, and savoury pastries called mouajanet.
Must Try Traditional Lebanese Breakfast Flavours: Sfiha, Fatteh, Manakish
20. Mexico – North America
Breakfast in Mexico is a hearty meal which consists of dishes like chilaquiles (fried tortillas topped with green or red salsa, refried beans, and shredded chicken, or even leftovers). Huevos rancheros (traditional Mexican eggs) is another popular choice. Lighter options include churros with hot chocolate.
Must Try Hearty Mexican Morning Meals: Enfrijolada, Huevos Divorciados, Papadzules, Tamales de elote
21. Morocco – North Africa
Moroccan breakfast is quite a simple affair. They are often sweet, consisting of bread and semolina pancakes with some jam, cheese or butter, honey, eggs, olives, and dates, as well as Turkish coffee and mint tea. The simplest of them all is a khobz bread with a drizzle of olive oil and a cup of hot tea. For a more indulgent breakfast, people use a popular flatbread called msemmen with butter and honey.
Must Try Sweet & Simple Moroccan Breakfasts: Msemmen, Bisara, Mortadella, Loubia
22. Myanmar – Southeast Asia
Myanmar’s most iconic breakfast dish is the mohinga. Also, the country’s national dish, this comforting rice noodle and fish soup is flavored with lemongrass, fish paste, ginger, onions and chickpeas. Another popular breakfast snack in Myanmar is the Kaung Nyin Paung which is a steamed glutinous rice seasoned with sesame salt.
Must Try Burmese Breakfast Bowls: Mee shay, Htamin SiSan
23. Netherlands – Western Europe
People in the Netherlands usually eat slices of buttered spiced bread (ontbijtkoeken) topped with various things like ham, cheese, jam, eggs or hagelsag (sweet, flavoured sprinkles). Cereals and fry-ups (called een uitsmijter), ham/cheese sandwich and sweet spice cake are also common breakfast items.
Must Try Dutch Breakfast Classics: Wentelteefjes, Groninger koek, Ontbijtkoek, Uitsmijter spek en kaas
Also read: Typical Dutch dishes to try when in the Netherlands.
24. Nigeria – West Africa
The most popular breakfast food is Ogi and Akara (cornmeal and bean cakes) often accompanied with yam, fried eggs, and fried plantain. There is also the spicy moin-moin which is paired with akamu, a sweet and creamy cornmeal custard.
Must Try Comforting Nigerian Breakfast Foods: Moi Moi, Okpa, Ewa Agoyin
25. Pakistan – South Asia
In Pakistan, the common breakfast item is stuffed parathas (flatbread stuffed with various vegetables, usually potatoes and cooked) eaten with butter, yoghurt, and pickle. Another popular dish is aloo-poori (potato curry with fried dough), or halwa-poori (poori with a sweet mixture). Nihari (a spicy meat curry) served with naan is also eaten.
Must Try Rich & Filling Pakistani Breakfasts: Stuffed Parathas Haleem, Dahi Bhalla
26. Philippines – Southeast Asia
Unlike in other places, breakfast in the Philippines is usually the largest meal of the day. It often consists of fruit, pan de sal (bread rolls), and hearty rice dishes like tapsilog (rice with dried meat and eggs) or little sausages, known as longganisa, which can be fried with garlic, eggs, meats, and beans or hotsilog (hot dog with rice), and spamsilog (spam with rice).
Must Try Filipino Silog Breakfast Items: Beef Pares, Silog Meals, Champorado, Mami Siopao
27. Poland – Central Europe
Traditional Polish breakfast is often jajecznica, scrambled eggs topped with kielbasa (sausages) and potato pancakes. An open sandwich, topped with a range of ingredients like cold cuts, cheese, sausages, or eggs, donuts filled with jam and honey with fresh bread and rolls are also great options.
Must Try Warm & Savoury Polish Breakfasts: Semolina Porridge, Farmer’s Cheese Toast, Polish Crepes
28. Russia – Eastern Europe
Russians often start their morning with a hot cup of coffee or tea with a selection of egg dishes. It could be either a boiled egg, scrambled, fried or an omelet. Pancakes, syrniki, and blini served with honey or berries are other classic breakfast foods.Must Try Rustic Russian Breakfast Staples: Buckwheat Porridge, Russian Pancakes, Donut Holes
29. Singapore – Southeast Asia
Singaporean food is inspired by various cuisines, such as Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and European. One of the most popular breakfast foods is kaya toast, a sweet sandwich made with white bread, butter and kaya jam.
Must Try Multicultural Singaporean Breakfasts: Chwee Kueh, Chee Chong Fun, Mee Chiang Kueh
30. Spain – Southern Europe
A popular Spanish breakfast is the Pan a la Catalana, or Pan con Tomate. It consists of bread rubbed with garlic and tomato drizzled with olive oil. This can be topped with cheese, ham, or sausages if required, and is served with café con leche. Other popular Spanish breakfast foods include pastries, churros and sandwiches.
Must Try Simple & Fresh Spanish Breakfasts: Huevos Rotos, Pincho De Tortilla, Croissant De Almendras
31. Sweden – Northern Europe
Swedish breakfast often consists of Nordic open sandwiches covered with cold cuts, fish, cheese, or vegetables (knäckebröd). Another popular dish pannkakor, porridge made mostly of oatmeal, yogurt either natural or flavored or fil, a kind of cultured buttermilk are other breakfast options in Sweden.
Must Try Light Scandinavian Morning Meals: Muesli, Swedish Rye Bread, Kroppkakor
32. Turkey – Middle East / Eurasia
When it comes to breakfast, Turkey is a country that has endless options. A classic breakfast consists of bread, cheeses, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, spicy Turkish sausages, honey, jams, omelette, and fruit. This is accompanied by baked dishes like börek (filled phyllo pastry) and served with delicious Turkish tea or coffee.
Must Try Lavish Turkish Breakfast Spread: Sucuklu Yumurta, Menemen, Kuymak
Also read, 11 delicious Turkish desserts that are not Baklava
33. United Kingdom – Western Europe
The classic British full English breakfast usually includes eggs, sausage, thick-cut bacon, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, and toast. Regional varieties like the Scottish breakfast and the Irish breakfast has white pudding and soda bread. Whatever version, it is often accompanied by a cup of tea.
Must Try Classic British Full Breakfast: Finnan Haddie, Potato Bread Farl, Crumpet, Kippers
34. United States – North America
American breakfasts usually include eggs, crispy bacon, hash browns and toast. This can be accompanied with thick, fluffy, pancakes and maple syrup. There are any number of variations and combinations of these dishes, though they are often accompanied by orange juice.
Must Try Classic American Breakfast Plates: Avocado Toast, chicken and Waffles
35. Venezuela – South America
A typical breakfast in Venezuela is arepas (flat corn cakes). As with many other countries, arepas accompany most meals. For breakfast, they are fried or baked and topped with cheese, ham, chicken, pork, or fish. Another popular dish is empanadas (pastries filled with fresh cheese, minced meat or any combination of veggies and beans).
Must Try Comforting Venezuelan Breakfast Items: Cachapa, Perico Venezolano, Mandoca
Also Read: Fascinating tea traditions from around the world.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many dishes that are served as breakfast around the world. The above mentioned 35 breakfasts show how diverse the first meal of the day can be. Be it sweet or savory, light or heavy, the different ideas for breakfast from around the world offers endless inspiration. Which is your favorite breakfast food from our list of dishes? Be sure to share them in the comments below.
FAQ’s
The word breakfast says it all, “break” means – breaking the period and “fast” means – to go without food. When we combine both together it means – breaking the fast. Ideally it signifies the act of breaking the fast that was observed since you went to sleep the previous night.
There are around 9 different types of breakfast around the world: Continental, American, English, Italian, Indonesian, Middle East, Japanese, Chinese and Indian Breakfast.
Breakfast being the first meal of the day after a big gap of over 8 to 10 hours, is something that everyone looks forward to having. So it’s advisable to start your day with healthy foods that will provide necessary fuel to your body and brain. The best breakfasts should have carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, and fiber, all in the right proportion. Avoid processed food and ingredients that have saturated fats.
As per a survey conducted, Iceland takes the top spot followed by Japan at the second place and Spain at the third spot. Iceland’s healthy breakfast that consists of oatmeal, SKyr yoghurt, fruit, coffee and cod liver oil helped them gain the first spot.
As per experts, the best time to eat breakfast is within the first two hours of waking up. During this time your body will effortlessly break down food and release energy to keep you energized throughout the day. Make sure you do not delay your breakfast beyond 10:00am.
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