What we choose to eat as the first meal of the day is important as it is the best way of getting our day started right. Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, can say a lot about our culture and customs. This meal is heavily connected to a country’s traditions and is a window to different regional variations. To explore this, let’s take a look at what breakfast looks like in different countries from around the world.
Australia – Avocado On Toast
The classic Australian mashed avocado toast with poached eggs on top is one of Australia’s most quintessential breakfast dishes. This simple, tasty, and easy-to-eat dish shot to breakfast stardom with so many variations. It’s now served with different toppings and bread, goat’s cheese and poached egg.
China – Youtiao
One common feature on a breakfast table in China is the deep-fried breadsticks called youtiao. They are usually served with congee (rice porridge) or warm soy milk. Also called Chinese fried dough or Chinese crullers, this breakfast favorite is lightly salted strips and not sweet.
France – Croissant
A simple French breakfast usually consists of coffee or tea along with bread and butter or pastries and croissants. A croissant is an absolute classic buttery flaky pastry that’s almost alchemical in its brilliance.
Multiple layers of the yeast leavened dough laminated with butter makes them so flaky.
America – Pancakes
Pancakes have always been a popular breakfast food in America. It is a short stack of buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and topped with freshly sliced strawberries. This is a sweet and filling treat to enjoy not only for breakfast but at any time of the day.
Turkey, Menemen
In Turkey, breakfast is all about eggs, bread, cheese, olives, tomatoes, fruits and Turkish tea or coffee. Menemen is made with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, chilies, spices and lots of olive oil. It is usually served with toast or Turkish bread.
Costa Rica – Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pinto is a popular breakfast dish from Costa Rica. It is a delicious combination of stir-fried rice, black beans, red pepper, and onions. All the ingredients are cooked separately and then fried together. It’s often served with fried eggs, avocado, cheese, or fried plantains.
India – Idli/Vada
Indian breakfast cuisine varies hugely depending on the region. South Indian breakfasts commonly consist of idli or dosas with sambar (a vegetable stew) and chutney. Other common breakfast items are poha made of flattened rice and upma made from semolina. In North India, breakfasts include various parathas, aloo-puri, and other dishes.
Egypt – Ful Medames
Ful Medames, the national dish of Egypt is made with dried fava beans that are gently cooked and simply flavored. It is generally served with hard-boiled eggs, diced veggies, cucumber, tomato salad, scallions and tahini or a piece of pita.
Israel – Shakshuka
Israel’s popular dish Shakshuka is made of eggs poached in a tomato sauce that’s flavored with onion, chili pepper, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Other dishes like breads with a variety of cheeses, omelet, tuna, olives, butter, jams, salad and spreads are also served.
Myanmar – Mohinga
Myanmar’s most iconic breakfast dish and also the country’s national dish is the mohinga which is a noodle and fish soup. Catfish, vermicelli noodles, banana tree stems, lemon grass, onions, garlic, ginger, fish paste goes into making this comforting dish. This soup is all about balancing all the flavors of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.
Philippines – Tapsilog
Breakfast is the largest meal of the day, tapsilog is a great way to start off. It is a complete meal made of rice, dried meat, and eggs. The word itself is a portmanteau of the names of the dishes – tapa: thin slices of meat, sinangag: garlic fried rice, and itlog: eggs, which all team up to make this delectable dish.
Morocco – Msemen
Generally, Moroccan breakfasts are sweet, hence Msemen which are sweet, pancake-like bread a great way to start the day. The dough is rolled out as thin as possible on an oiled surface to create eight layers. These layers get crispy from the exterior and chewy from the inside once cooked. They are served with jam, cheese, butter, or honey, along with some Turkish coffee and mint tea.
Russia – Kasha
Kasha, which is the most common breakfast in Russia, also happens to be one of Russia’s national dishes. It is made from whole-grain buckwheat which is like porridge and can be eaten at any time of the day. This dish which is cooked with milk and sugar and served with jam can be eaten as a main or side dish.
Pakistan – Haleem
Haleem also called daleem or Halim, a thick porridge is the ultimate comfort food in Pakistan. It is a nutritious one-pot meal with simple ingredients you probably have on hand. This classic Pakistani breakfast dish is made with meat, wheat, lentils, and spices.
Singapore – Kaya Toast
One of Singapore’s most popular breakfast foods is kaya toast, made of bread, butter, and kaya. Kaya is a mixture of coconut milk, sugar, and eggs with a pat of cold butter. Bread toast is slathered with kaya jam and served with egg and a cup of coffee.
In some countries, breakfast means a full meal while others look for light and simple meals to start the day. This list has a mix of both, hope these 15 delicious breakfast dishes from around the world are an inspiration for your next breakfast meal.
