Breakfast Around the World: What People Eat to Start Their Day

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day and is deeply connected to a country's traditions, offering insights into its culture. Traditional breakfasts around the world showcase regional variations and customs. Starting the day off right varies greatly depending on where you are. In some parts of the world, breakfast might be hot soups or cold cuts, while in others, it could be a simple pastry or porridge. Some cultures place great importance on breakfast, while others consider it optional.

Here Is How 10 Different Countries Start Their Day:

1. Brazil

In Brazil, coffee is an essential part of breakfast. Pingado, made with steamed milk and a splash of coffee, is usually sweetened with sugar. Common accompaniments include fruit juices, chocolate milk, pao frances (French bread) topped with butter, cheese, or ham, and occasionally pao de queijo (cheese bread) or granola.

2. Turkey

Kahvalti, the traditional Turkish breakfast, features an impressive spread including breads, creamy cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, spicy Turkish sausage, and a variety of jams, marmalades, and honeys. Menemen, a dish of skillet-cooked eggs, and the country's famous tea and coffee

Also Read: 15 Best Healthy Breakfast Recipes | Popular Breakfast Recipes

3. Germany

A typical German breakfast consists of breads, rolls, sliced meats, cheese, and sometimes leberwurst (liver sausage). Breads are often eaten with butter, jams, or honey. Options like apple pancakes, potato omelettes, German bauernfruhstuck (a hearty dish of potatoes, eggs, and cheese), or muesli are also popular.

4. Switzerland

Weekday Swiss breakfasts often feature birchermuesli, a blend of oats with fruit and nuts served over thick yogurt. Weekend brunches include roesti (potato pancakes), cheeses, cold cuts, and zopf, a braided egg bread served with honey, butter, and jam.

5. Japan

Japanese breakfasts are typically savory and include a selection of small plates with traditional dishes. Fish such as salmon or mackerel, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and rice are common. Tamagoyaki, a slightly sweet rolled omelet, is also a popular choice.

Also Read: 6 Scrumptious Breakfast Ideas for Busy Mornings

6. Bulgaria

Popara, a childhood favorite, uses leftover bread for a warm, comforting breakfast. Warm milk or tea is poured over cubed bread, crumbled Bulgarian sirene cheese, butter, and sugar, creating a dish that's half porridge and half bread pudding.

7. Jamaica

Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica's national dish and a popular breakfast. Ackee, a sweet, pear-shaped fruit, is sauted with salt cod, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and onions, creating a scramble that's sweet, salty, and spicy.

8. Cambodia

Kuy teav, a rice noodle soup influenced by Chinese cuisine, is a popular Cambodian breakfast. Made with pork or beef broth, shallots, garlic, herbs, and various vegetables, it's served with pork or fish balls, chili paste, soya sauce, and half a lime.

9. Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, breakfast is the main meal of the day, often featuring gallo pinto, made with leftover rice stir-fried with black beans, red pepper, and onions, topped with salsa and sour cream, and served with eggs, avocado, cheese, sausages, or tortillas.

10. Greece

Greek breakfasts include dishes like spanakopita (savory pie) or kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and feta), accompanied by yogurt with honey and walnuts, pastries, bread, and cold cuts. In Crete, breakfasts often include olives, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, yogurt, bread, paximadia, honey, hard-boiled eggs, orange juice, and coffee or tea, providing a nutritious and energizing start to the day.