Breakfast Foods Around the World
Last updated on Oct 28, 2024Michale LeRoyHere in the United States, the word breakfast instantly summons up images of our favorite comfort foods. Maybe you envision waffles covered in butter and syrup, crispy bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs. If that's not your speed, you might think of avocado toast, overnight oats, and a green smoothie as the ideal breakfast. Even if it's just a donut and coffee, many of us collectively agree that breakfast is the best meal of the day. Let's take a trip around the world and discover what breakfast foods are enjoyed in other countries. Sweet or savory? Hot or cold? We'll explore a range of foods that will help you serve a breakfast menu that's diverse and globally inspired.
England: Full English Breakfast
The traditional full English breakfast is a large meal that contains an assortment of comfort foods, including eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and of course, baked beans. You might hear this calorie-laden spread referred to as a fry-up or just a full English. It’s the breakfast dish most famously associated with the UK, but it’s too filling for most to be eaten everyday.
A typical brekkie eaten by the British is a little bit more modest. You’re more likely to see beans on toast or toast with jam on a normal weekday. But on weekends and special occasions, the red carpet is rolled out for the full English fry-up. It’s a must-try if you visit the British Isles.
Australia: Vegemite on Toast
There are many types of foods eaten for breakfast in Australia, but there’s one iconic dish that is commonly associated with the Land Down Under. Vegemite on toast is considered a staple comfort food and even a symbol of national pride. This savory dark-brown spread is made with leftover brewer’s yeast, a by-product of the beer industry. It’s a good source of B vitamins and is also suitable for a plant-based diet.
The concept of a brown breakfast spread that isn’t peanut butter can be difficult for us to fathom in the United States. Part of the problem could be our heavy-handed application. According to the Australians, the correct way to enjoy Vegemite is to apply an extra-thin layer over buttered toast. Add too much of the thick paste and you will be overwhelmed, which is why this umami-flavored spread is packaged in small bottles.
Iceland: Skyr
Skyr (pronounced skeer) is a cultured dairy product with a thick creamy consistency and a slightly sour taste. It’s similar to yogurt, but it’s actually considered a type of cheese like ricotta or mascarpone. In Iceland, skyr is a popular breakfast food often paired with porridge and fruit.
In the early 2000s, a brand called Icelandic Provisions began marketing skyr in the United States. As a result, you’ll see Icelandic skyr sold alongside yogurt at your local grocery store. The word “skyr” is not trademarked and is considered a generic term like milk or cheese.
Italy: Cornetto and Cappuccino
If you want to blend in with the locals while traveling through Italy, ignore the other pastries and stick with the classic combo of a cornetto and cappuccino. The name cornetto may be unfamiliar, but when you see this conical golden pastry you will immediately recognize it as the Italian version of a croissant. Pairing coffee with a flakey cornetto pastry is considered a quintessential Italian breakfast.
Order your cornetto plain or filled with jam or cream. Enjoy a warm foamy cappuccino and dip the cornetto into your cup before taking a bite. Now post up at a cafe and read the newspaper before starting your busy day. This is an Italian breakfast ritual!
France: Tartine
There's no shortage of delicious pastries in France, so you might be surprised to hear one of the most common breakfast foods is a simple tartine (or toast). A French tartine isn't the same as a humble piece of toasted white bread here in the United States. This tartine consists of a toasted sliced baguette spread with fresh butter and jam.
For breakfast, the tartine might be served with a cup of fresh fruit and hot coffee. Throughout the day, tartines are made with a variety of sweet and savory ingredients, similar to an avocado toast. One thing is certain, breakfast in France is usually considered light and the larger meals are reserved for later in the day.
Greece: Koulouri
A typical breakfast in Greece might consist of a variety of breads, pastries, fruit, and yogurt. A beloved type of bread that is often consumed for breakfast is the koulouri, nicknamed the Greek bagel. This street food is a large thin bread ring covered in sesame seeds or other toppings. It can be baked until slightly crispy or served soft and warm.
The recipe for koulouri dates back to ancient times when this food was sold by street vendors as an affordable option that was filling and nutritious. Koulouri is still enjoyed on-the-go as a quick breakfast in metro areas. Breakfast is enjoyed as a leisurely meal in many parts of Greece, but in Athens, it's common to see commuters with a koulouri in one hand and their favorite coffee in another.
Egypt: Ful Medames
Egypt is the next country on our tour of breakfast foods, where you'll be served a savory dish of stewed fava beans called ful medames (fool muh-dom-ess). Nicknamed "ful" for short, this fragrant dish is considered the national dish of Egypt. It's a filling combination of mashed fava beans, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and olive oil. It's sometimes served with hardboiled eggs, chopped tomatoes, or even pickles.
Fava beans, also called broadbeans, are a great source of energy and protein, making them a nutritious breakfast food. These types of beans are extra-large and have a meaty texture that becomes creamy and velvety when cooked. Traditionally, ful medames is prepared in large jars and cooked overnight to be enjoyed the next day.
Kenya: Uji Porridge
In Kenya, a typical breakfast might include boiled sweet potatoes, triangular fried donuts, or a hot porridge called uji (pronounced oo-jee). This porridge is made with the flour of dried grains like millet, sorghum, or maize. After wetting the grains with water, the porridge is left to ferment for 2-3 days to increase its nutritional value.
The end product is a thin, creamy porridge that's high in fiber and naturally gluten-free. Some enjoy their uji with milk and honey, extra spices, or peanut butter. You simply must wash down your uji porridge with a steamy cup of chai tea if you want the true Kenyan breakfast experience.
Mexico: Chilaquiles
You've probably heard of huevos rancheros, but there's another tasty Mexican dish that's also considered a breakfast staple. Chilaquiles (pronounced chee-luh-kee-layz) is a favorite comfort food that is comprised of tortilla chips softened with red or green salsa and covered in a range of toppings like cheese or avocado. You can serve chilaquiles with fried eggs, refried beans, or other proteins for a filling and nutritious breakfast.
Chilaquiles is an easy dish to prepare and a convenient way to use up leftover ingredients like tortilla chips. The dish can be customized with your favorite add-ons to make a savory and satisfying way to break your fast in the morning.
Brazil: Pao de Queijo
For breakfast in Brazil, you're very likely to be served a basket of pillowy cheese-filled rolls called pao de queijo. If you want to sound like a native Brazilian, the correct pronunciation for these tasty morsels is POWN-jee-kay-zhu. The famous Brazilian cheese bread is made with tapioca flour, cheese, eggs, milk, and olive oil.
Slightly crisp on the outside with a gooey cheesy center, these rolls are traditionally made with Minas cheese. This semi-soft cheese is produced in Brazil and has a mild, salty flavor. It can be difficult to source this cheese outside of Brazil, so if you're trying to replicate pao de queijo, a combo of queso fresco, parmesan, and cheddar can do the trick.
Vietnam: Pho
Thanks to the proliferation of delicious global cuisine, many Americans are familiar with the merits of this savory, spicy noodle dish. You can usually find a hot bowl of pho (pronounced fuh) at a neighborhood noodle shop near you. In Vietnam, where this dish originates, it's often eaten first thing in the morning.
If you walk down the streets of a Vietnamese city like Hanoi in the early hours, you'll see steaming bowls of pho being sold in open-air shops. These vendors have already been working hard through the night to source their fresh ingredients and simmer their soups to perfection before the 6 AM crowd arrives. Hot soup for breakfast is a common ritual in the tropical climate of Vietnam because the temperature is lower in the morning.
Japan: Steamed Rice, Miso Soup, and Grilled Fish
The Japanese people believe in creating balance in many aspects of life, and breakfast is no different. You won't be surprised to learn that there is a formula for creating the perfectly balanced breakfast in Japan. One bowl of rice, one bowl of soup, one main dish, and two side dishes is a common traditional Japanese breakfast.
Steamed rice and miso soup are usually accompanied by a grilled piece of fish, a rolled omelet, pickled vegetables, and a dish of fermented soybeans called natto. Unlike our fluffy three-egg omelets in the US, a Japanese omelet is delicately rolled to achieve fine layers. It has a silky texture and slightly sweet flavor as a result of the addition of mirin wine.
Korea: Banchan
The last stop on our breakfast tour of the world is South Korea, which is fitting because breakfast doesn't really exist in this country. South Koreans eat the same foods in the morning that they eat for any other meal, which is usually a collection of side dishes called banchan (pronounced pan-chan). But don't be disappointed because eating banchan is a genius way to squeeze all of your favorite foods into one meal.
The typical morning meal in South Korea consists of a bowl of steamed rice, a soup or stew, and several banchan on the side. There are many types of banchan, but here are a few of the most popular: kimchi, spicy cucumbers, soybean sprouts, stir-fried spinach, glass noodles, scallion pancakes, or stir-fried anchovies.
Now that you've taken a delicious trip around the world to explore breakfast traditions in different countries, it's time to bring that culinary inspiration back to your own kitchen. By incorporating flavors and dishes from various cultures, you can revamp your breakfast menu and offer customers a truly unique dining experience.
