12 Most Delicious and Iconic Breakfasts From Around the World
Did you know that 38% of Americans start their mornings with eggs? This classic breakfast favorite may dominate the United States, but breakfast traditions worldwide are an exciting celebration of flavors, textures, and cultures.
For example, in China, people savor steaming bowls of congee, while in the UK, a hearty Full English breakfast takes center stage. Morning meals worldwide tell a different story in each country, and it’s a delicious way to peek into a country’s culinary heritage.
Hence, let us take a delicious trip across the world. We’ll check out 12 of the most popular and tasty breakfasts on tables worldwide. These morning meals fuel millions of people for the day ahead and serve as a delicious window into the heart of each culture’s cuisine.
The Full English Breakfast (England)
The Full English Breakfast might be one of the best-known breakfasts in the Western world. It consists of fried eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, and a pile of buttered toast. On occasion, black pudding may turn up, too.
This breakfast has been associated with British culinary culture for generations and packs enough energy to get you through until lunch. To get the most authentic experience of it, pair it with a cup of English tea.
Shakshuka (Middle East and North Africa)
Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs in seasoned tomato and bell pepper sauce, accompanied by onions and spices such as cumin, paprika, and chili flakes. It’s a North African dish widely embraced across the Middle East.
It is traditionally served with fresh bread to scoop up the delicious sauce. Shakshuka has become a favorite worldwide breakfast menu, perfectly balancing warmth and zest.
Congee (China/East Asia)
This staple breakfast is a rich, comforting rice porridge in East Asia. It’s mildly seasoned, although you can add an array of toppings, from scallions to shredded chicken, pork, or preserved eggs.
It is very popular as it has restorative and satisfying qualities and is popular in colder mornings or when recovering from illness. It has been consumed for approximately 3,000 years, with its earliest references dating back to the Zhou dynasty in China (circa 1000 BC).
Idli and Sambar (South India)
Idli, soft and spongy steamed rice cakes, are a breakfast gem of South India. They are typically served with sambar, a tangy lentil and vegetable soup, and coconut chutney.
This dish is a harmonious blend of flavors, mild idlis, and aromatic sambar. Idlis and sambar are perfect choices for a nutritious and vegetarian start, and also reflect the deep culinary traditions of the Indian subcontinent.
Croissants and Café au Lait (France)
France’s breakfast is a lesson in elegance and simplicity. Parisian café culture is a flaky, golden brown croissant and a big bowl of café au lait (coffee with warm milk). Adding butter and jam to your croissant for a sweet touch, you’ve captured the heart of a classic French morning.
Huevos Rancheros (Mexico)
Huevos Rancheros, meaning “ranch-style eggs,” is a robust Mexican breakfast that’s both flavorful and comforting.
It consists of fried eggs served over warm corn tortillas, covered in spicy tomato salsa, and often with refried beans, guacamole, or cheese. This dish brings delicious tastes of Mexico’s countryside with a savory, smoky flavor.
Kaya Toast (Singapore/Malaysia)
A uniquely sweet breakfast treat from Southeast Asia, Kaya Toast consists of toasted bread smeared liberally with kaya, a coconut jam interspersed with the flavor of pandan, and sandwiched with a slab of butter.
It is a compact but indulgent start to the day, often consisting of soft-boiled eggs drizzled with soy sauce and a cup of strong, sweet kopi (coffee).
Arepas (Colombia/Venezuela)
Corn cakes, or arepas, are a typical breakfast in Colombia and Venezuela. They can be grilled, baked, or fried and served with various fillings such as cheese, avocado, shredded meat, or eggs. Their soft and crispy outside makes them perfect for savory and sweet flavors, making them a treasured traditional dish.
Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties (Scotland)
While more commonly served for dinner, this iconic Scottish trio occasionally makes it into a hearty breakfast plate. Known as neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and mashed potatoes), haggis consists of spiced ground meat mixed with oatmeal.
A breakfast with Scotland’s strong agrarian traditions. It’s a warm and robust start to the day. A fascinating fact about this iconic meal is that Scots traditionally serve it on Burns Night (January 25th) to celebrate their national poet, Robert Burns.
Foul Medames (Egypt)
Egyptians traditionally prepare Foul Medames by slow-cooking fava beans and seasoning them with cumin, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. They garnish the dish with fresh parsley, chili, or tomatoes and eat it with pita bread or boiled eggs. Many believe the word “medames” originates from a Coptic word meaning “buried.”
Turkish Breakfast (Turkey)
The Turkish breakfast, or “kaval,” offers an elaborate spread that pleases various tastes. People enjoy fresh olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, different cheeses, honey with clotted cream, freshly baked simit (sesame-encrusted bread), and eggs, often served as menemen, scrambled with tomatoes and peppers. They pair this unhurried delight with strong Turkish tea.
Pancakes with Maple Syrup (United States)
Few breakfasts are as iconic in the U.S. as a tall stack of fluffy pancakes drizzled with pure maple syrup. Often paired with crispy bacon or sausages, this breakfast strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It embodies a comforting indulgence and has become a global symbol of a hearty American-style breakfast.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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