Around the 5 Continents to See Typical Breakfasts in Different Countries and Explore the Richness of Culinary Diversity

Just like the culture, language, and cuisine of each country or region, there are significant differences in breakfast traditions around the world. Have you ever wondered how people from different parts of the globe enjoy their traditional breakfasts?

Argentina: Medialunas

The breakfast of Argentinians can be described as quite simple. People in this South American country typically enjoy a type of pastry called tostados or medialunas, which resembles a Western croissant but is smaller and sweeter. These pastries are often paired with coffee to energize for the day ahead.

Australia: Vegemite on Toast

Vegemite is a traditional brown-black spread with a salty flavor and a strong aroma that can be off-putting for first-time tasters. It is primarily made from brewer’s yeast extract and is often enjoyed spread on toast for breakfast or as a snack.

Bangladesh: Chapattis

In Bangladesh, people enjoy chapattis, a type of flatbread made from wheat flour, often served with potato curry and scrambled eggs.

Brazil: Bread, Coffee, and Fruits

Brazilian breakfasts are typically sweet and may seem unusual to many. Ideally, it includes slices of bread, fresh fruits like papaya, and can be paired with cheese and a glass of coffee with milk.

Canada: Eggs, Bacon, and Bread

This can be considered a standard Western breakfast that doesn’t surprise many. In addition to bread, people often enjoy pancakes with maple syrup.

Taiwan: Jianbing (Egg Crepe)

Jianbing is a type of egg crepe popular in Taiwan, often sold at street corners. The crepe is made from eggs and wheat flour, with fillings that can vary from meats and vegetables to sweet options.

Egypt: Ful Medames

Ful medames is the national dish of Egypt, believed to have originated in ancient times. It consists of cooked fava beans seasoned with spices and served with accompaniments like boiled eggs, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Finland: Puuro

Puuro is a traditional Finnish oatmeal porridge, often served with a few berries, butter, and sugar.

France: Bread, Pastries, and Coffee

It’s no surprise that a typical French breakfast includes a crispy croissant spread with jam and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Japan: Miso Soup, Rice, and Grilled Fish

In the morning, traditional Japanese people still prefer to eat rice with dishes similar to their main meals throughout the day.

South Korea: Rice and Banchan

Similar to their neighbor, South Koreans also eat rice in the morning. The dishes are typically lighter than lunch or dinner, featuring banchan such as kimchi, steamed eggs, or seaweed.

China: Youtiao and Soy Milk

In China, breakfast habits vary by region. In addition to familiar dishes like baozi, a popular breakfast duo includes youtiao (fried dough sticks) and soy milk.

Malaysia: Nasi Lemak

Nasi lemak is rice cooked with coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves, giving it a distinctive aroma. It can be served with boiled eggs, peanuts, or fried anchovies.

Mexico: Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are a vibrant Mexican dish. They consist of crispy corn tortillas cut into small pieces, served with spicy salsa. Additionally, chicken or fried eggs and cheese are often added.

Myanmar: Mohinga

Mohinga is a dish found in every corner of Myanmar. It consists of rice noodles served with fish broth, fresh vegetables, and sometimes soft-boiled eggs and banana flowers.

Philippines: Tapsilog

Tapsilog is a perfect dish to energize your day without being overly filling. A typical tapsilog plate includes a bit of meat, garlic fried rice, and a fried egg.

Russia: Kasha

Kasha is a traditional dish from the land of the white nights, simply understood as buckwheat served with potatoes or milk.

Singapore: Kaya Toast

Kaya toast is a type of toasted bread spread with kaya (coconut jam) and cold butter. Singaporeans often dip this toast into a soft-boiled egg and enjoy it with coffee.

Spain: Churros with Chocolate

In Spain, a traditional breakfast is sweet, featuring churros dipped in chocolate.

Sweden: Smörgås

The cold Nordic country of Sweden offers smörgås, which can be simply understood as an open-faced sandwich. It consists of a slice of bread topped with ingredients such as fish, cold cuts, cheese, vegetables, or eggs.

Venezuela: Cachapas