One of the most exciting parts about traveling is getting to taste the local cuisine. The beautiful thing about food is that it’s different in every country. With all of the interesting facts about food there should really be a university, or at least an online university, that offers a “Global Food Studies” course. If you were to travel around the world, going from country-to-country tasting all of the deliciousness, besides it being amazingly awesome, I think the first question you’d ask google is, “how do you burn fat?” and fast! Weight loss program aside, it’s breakfast time… global style! 30 countries, 30 different traditional breakfasts – YUM!
1. China
While traditional breakfasts differ per region, there is one breakfast that is preferred and loved by all. The you tiao is a combination of fried dough sticks and warm soy milk. It’s also very popular to eat dim sum and congee, which is a hot soup.
2. Australia
Next stop, the Land Down Under! Australians are known to eat one and one food only, Vegemite. The sticky, salty brown stuff travels with Aussies wherever they go. Fruit and occasionally the English breakfast is also on the Australian breakfast menu.
3. Thailand
While we’re on this side of the globe, might as well stop in Thailand. This breakfast dish is commonly found at stalls throughout Thailand. Served over white rice sits a minty spicy fish with a sweet & spicy pork. Not only is this dish incredibly flavorful and tasty, it’s also super cheap (30 Bhat)! A win-win situation.
4. Scotland
A Scottish breakfast is the combination of a full English and a full Irish breakfast. Super hearty, and definitely filling, Haggis is the breakfast food of choice in Scotland. Haggis is sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, salt and mixed with stock. The slab of haggis is served alongside a fat-fried egg, yes fat-fried. Don’t think this one is too healthy for you.
5. India
Ah, can you smell the exotic aromas? Here we have rosemary roasted potatoes, Indian tofu scramble, lentils, veggie sausage, and banana pepper toast. However, there is no “common” breakfast in India as it varies very much depending on the region. But a traditional Indian breakfast is along these lines.
6. France
With a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other, a French breakfast is of course, le croissant (the croissant). Croissants in France are more elaborate (and delicious). Why? Because they’re stuffed with either crushed almonds, butter, chocolate, or cream. Yum is right! It’s also common for French people to dip their croissants into their coffee.
7. Germany
The traditional German breakfast: an assortment of freshly baked breads, various cold meats, local cheeses, butter, different kinds of jam, and wursts (bratwurst). Bratwurst is a type of German sausage made from veal, beef, or most commonly pork – every locals favorite. Breakfast is then washed down with a hot cup of coffee.
8. England
An English Breakfast and a Full English Breakfast are similar but different. In order for a breakfast to be considered a “Full English Breakfast” it must include beans, sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns, and a piece of toast. And of course after this large meal, it’s tradition to drink a cup of tea or even black pudding (optional).
9. Israel
Popular for its fresh produces, an Israeli Breakfast is one of the healthier ones in the world. The Israeli breakfast originated by residents of the kibbutz, where they would hand pick fruits and vegetables (seasonal) and make different types of cheese from both cow and goat milk. If you order the “Israeli Breakfast” off a menu here’s what you’ll get: a basket of fresh bread, a variety of hard and soft cheese, fresh-squeezed juice, olives, and jam and butter. Often an egg (cooked how you want) is also included.
10. Netherlands
Usually served with stroop, a dark syrup, breakfast van de Netherlands is a stack of delicious tart, sweet, and salty (combined) apple pancakes. Dutch pancakes are much thinner compared to American ones. These yummy pancakes are also eaten for special occasions.
11.Poland
Renowned locally as Jajecznica, a traditional Polish Breakfast consists of scrambled eggs topped with slices of handmade kielbasa (a type of sausage from Central Europe) and accompanied by two potato pancakes. Dig in and enjoy!
12. Morocco
A traditional Moroccan breakfast includes different crumpet-style breads that are served with some chutney, jam, cheese, or butter. They also have a semolina pancake bread called Baghir . An overall really tasty breakfast!
13. Iceland
The hearty Icelandic breakfast is exactly what you need to help keep you warm during those icy mornings. Hafragrautur (oatmeal) is served with a sprinkle of brown sugar and topped with some raisins or nuts. This breakfast adds a little sweetness to your day.
14. Hawaii
It’s hard to imagine Hawaiians not starting their day with a fresh, colorful, and juicy fruit plate. A bagel is also common for Hawaiians. But don’t worry, after breakfast they’ll get on their surf board and ride the waves all day, burning the energy/carbs off from that one bagel. A healthy breakfast in paradise!
15. Portugal
Simple, delicious, and plentiful is a great way to describe a Portuguese Breakfast. A traditional breakfast in Portugal includes a table complete with stuffed croissants and a lot of coffee to start your day.
16. Denmark
First of all, look at that presentation! So what’s included on a Dane’s breakfast plate? Rye bread, cheeses, salami, ham, pâté, honey, jam, and occasionally some thin “sheets” of chocolate. And for those of you looking for bacon on the list, you are not going to find it because bacon is actually not as popular in Denmark as people may think.
17. Italy
Looks similar (if not identical) to the breakfast in France, right? Well makes sense considering they’re neighbor countries. Because Italians are always on the run they usually just grab a cappuccino and a croissant to go – no they do not eat pizza and pasta for every meal.
18. Brazil
A plate of ham, cheese, and bread with a strong coffee and milk is the typical breakfast in Brazil. Also served in the morning is feijoada, a thick black bean and meat soup.
19. Colombia
The arepa has arrived folks! For those who haven’t had the pleasure of tasting in an arepa, we highly recommend that you do. An arepa is a dense, slightly sweet corn cake served with butter or if you want to really indulge you can top it off with an egg, meat, or jam.
20. Cuba
In Cuba a tostada is commonly eaten for breakfast. A tostada is simply a grilled buttered piece of bread. And if you really want to be authentic, dunk the tostada into cafe con leche. Vuela, you’ll fit in perfectly.
21. Mexico
Who wouldn’t want to start their morning with the flavors, tastes, and smells of Mexico? Mexican food that is. A typical Mexican Breakfast are dishes like chilaquiles (lightly fried corn tortillas) and huevos rancheros (Mexican egg dish). While these two dishes tend to be the most popular, for a light option you can have sweet rolls and coffee. And remember, chips and guac. is totally acceptable to eat for breakfast!
22. Japan
Sushi is not the traditional breakfast in Japan but miso soup, steamed white rice, pickled vegetables, and fish and tamagoyaki (a Japanese omelet) is.
23. Russia
Griddle cakes are flat, round, thin homemade pancakes that are a huge breakfast food throughout Russia. Cheese-stuffed syrniki and crepe-like blini, which are made with kefir and fluffy oladi and are the size of a biscuit, are also a Russian breakfast delicacy.
24. Turkey
This middle eastern breakfast is all about variety. A typical breakfast table will include bread, cheese, butter, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, and kaymak (a creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream). Sucuk, a spicy Turkish sausage, and Turkish tea are also included in the Turkish Breakfast.
25. South Africa
The most common thing to eat for breakfast in South Africa is hot cereal or porridge. Both are usually made with a corn ingredient known as putu pap.
26. Sweden
Typically eaten at home, a Swedish Breakfast is an open-face sandwich layered with either fish or cold cuts, cheese, mayonnaise, and vegetables, usually cucumbers and tomatoes. Simple, easy, fresh, and very tasty!
27. United States
Breakfast in America varies depending on the state, but the traditional “American Breakfast” is very basic: eggs, potatoes/hash browns, bacon, and sausage. Omelettes which can be filled with cheese, veggies, or meat (optional additions), is also a very popular breakfast dish and on majority of restaurant menus.
28. Korea
When looking at a Korean breakfast and a Korean dinner it’s hard to tell which is which. Both meals have rice, soup, the Korean staple kimchi (banchan made from salted and fermented vegetables), any type of fish or beef, and some leftovers from last night’s dinner.
29. Spain
The classic Spanish Breakfast is the oh-so savory Pan con tomate which translates to: bread (usually toasted) with tomatoes spread over and seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Oh and for a special treat, many restaurants and vendors sell churros aka fried dough covered in mounds of sugar, YUM!
30. Jamaica
A favored breakfast food in Jamaica is Ackee. Ackee is a type of fruit, but what’s funny about it is how similar it looks to scrambled eggs, only when it’s cooked. Add some fried plantains, salted fish, and fresh fruit and you got yourself a classic Jamaican breakfast mon!
31. Philippines
A Filipino breakfast is a combination of local fruits like mangos, little sausages known as longganisa, and rice. And sinangag is when you fry those ingredients together with salt and garlic. Then you combine the sinangag with eggs, meats, and beans.
32. Ireland
You’ve had the Full English Breakfast and the Scottish Breakfast, so essentially you’ve had an Irish breakfast. The main difference between the three is that an Irish breakfast includes white pudding and soda bread. Besides that, same same.
33. Croatia
Breakfast hours are different in each country. Like in Croatia between the hours of 9am and 11am, not breakfast time nor lunch time, it’s marenda eating time. Marenda is a platter of Anchovies, sliced dalmatian ham, and cheese.
34. Maldives
Mas Huni is a typical Maldivian breakfast, made of tuna (fresh-cooked is ideal), onion, coconut, and chili. It’s simplicity is what Maldivians love most about it.
35. Iraq
This rich, spicy Iraqi breakfast dish is just as tasty as it looks. Makhlama Lahm is ground lamb sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and parsley, seasoned with bahar asfar, yellow curry powder, and topped with soft-baked eggs. Mouth-watering, we know.
36. Malaysia
A common breakfast food in Malysia is Nasi lemak. The soup is composed of coconut rice, anchovies, hot sauce, peanuts, and a boiled egg. It’s the perfect blend of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, with the right amount of spiciness. Nasi lemak is eaten at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Minus the anchovies, count me in!
37. Switzerland
The signature Swiss breakfast includes an assortment of foods like Bürli (rolls), Tilsiter cheese, cold cuts, butter & jam, soft boiled eggs, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, and muesli. As plentiful as this breakfast is, I prefer to stick with the muesli. Always a good option.
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38. Canada
The Canadian traditional breakfast goes like this: pancakes, sausages, ham, and potatoes. Not much too it except for a lot of salt. Make sure you wash this breakfast down with a big glass of water.
39. El Salvador
El Salvadorian (The Salvadorian) traditional breakfast is savory and sweet all at the same time. The flavorful dish typically consists of fried sweet plantains, casamiento (black beans and rice cooked in onion sauce), and salsa. A little of this, and a little of that.
40. Myanmar
Mohinga is both the most popular breakfast in Myanmar, as well as its national dish, so it’s gotta be pretty good. Mohinga is an exceptional tasting soup made from fish broth, rice noodles, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, onions, and sometimes fried fish cakes. A very different breakfast food, but one of the better ones.