Breakfast Around the World — What Do People Eat for Breakfast?

Ever wondered what a traditional breakfast looks like across different cultures? In Breakfast
Around the World — What Do People Eat for Breakfast?, you’ll discover the diverse morning
meals enjoyed from Turkey to Korea, and how each reflects unique culinary traditions.

Breakfast Around the World

Food is a source of positive emotions and a good mood, so you must make it as balanced and varied as possible. Information about breakfast around the world can be a source of new ideas. Life success largely depends on how you start each new day. Breakfast is essential because it means more than just a set of nutrients needed for our lives. It’s called the most valuable meal of the day for a reason. So, what do people eat for breakfast around the world? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Breakfast in Turkey

This vibrant, multifaceted country delights visitors with breathtaking landscapes and its unique culinary traditions. A variety of Turkish dishes are beloved all over the world. But what do people eat in Turkey, specifically in the morning? A traditional Turkish breakfast includes an assortment of items: olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, honey, various types of cheese, eggs, preserved foods, dried meats, spicy sausages, jams, and fruit. These are typically served on small plates, creating a colorful spread. Another popular dish is menemen—a soft scrambled egg mixed with tomatoes, onions, and peppers. This simple yet flavorful dish is easy to make and packed with taste and health benefits. Fresh, crispy bread is always included, and sometimes baked goods like börek are served—a delicious filled pastry.

In Turkey, breakfast is taken seriously. A traditional Turkish breakfast can be found in many
restaurants and cafés across the country, with ingredients that may vary by season but are
always colorful, healthy, and delicious. Among breakfast food around the world, Turkish
breakfast is known as one of the healthiest options. The meal is usually accompanied by tea,
often served in traditional glass cups, or coffee.

2. Great Britain

Among the traditional breakfasts around the world, the English breakfast is perhaps one of
the most nutritious. The cornerstone of the English morning meal is satiety. The portion sizes are typically large, a cultural feature rather than a necessity. Historically, the British would consume a hearty breakfast to sustain them through the day, as the evening meal was often light. This explains why breakfast in the UK tends to be especially nutritious. A typical English breakfast includes eggs, sausage, bacon (thickly sliced), tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, toast, and cakes. An interesting regional variation is the Scottish breakfast, which often features black pudding. In Ireland, in addition to the standard items, you might also find soda bread and white pudding on the table.

Oatmeal is a classic British breakfast dish, although it is enjoyed in other parts of the world as well. This hearty meal is particularly comforting during colder months. To prepare oatmeal, it’s important to use cereals that require slow cooking, ensuring the dish is truly nutritious. When properly prepared, oatmeal has a creamy, delicate texture and can be customized with various toppings, making it a versatile meal. Whether served sweet or savory, it’s known as a universal breakfast that can be adapted to suit different tastes.

3. Breakfast in Denmark

In this country, the morning typically begins with a simple, fresh, and light meal. Open
sandwiches with various spreads are particularly popular. These can include cold cuts, pâté,
honey, cheese, vegetables, jam, and eggs. Occasionally, there are even sandwiches with
chocolate. The foundation of a Danish breakfast is usually rye bread. It is often accompanied
by a variety of cakes, porridge, or cereals. Tea and coffee are the two most common drinks in the morning.

A particularly popular dish in Denmark is pancake balls. These are small pancakes cooked in a special frying pan, which distinguishes them from traditional crêpes or pancakes. The dish is typically served with a range of fillings, with apples being the most popular. However, it can also be filled with honey, jam, chocolate, or other sweet toppings.

4. French Breakfast

When you think about how people start their day in this country, coffee and croissants
immediately come to mind. Fresh pastries paired with a hot drink make the perfect light
breakfast for the French. Typically, they enjoy croissants filled with chocolate, but there are
many options ranging from sweet to savory. It is also important to note that French cuisineis
known for its small portions, which may explain why the people of this country tend to be so
slim. The French don’t just eat—they savor every bite.

Another popular breakfast dish is eggs baked in a pot with cream cheese. The most common drink is, of course, coffee. However, they also drink tea or juice, which must be freshly squeezed. Additionally, the French may enjoy cakes or plain bread with butter, the latter of which is often used in French breakfasts. Many dishes are prepared with it, including pancakes, toast, and various pastries. The key is that the bread should be fresh. At the same time, salty foods and more substantial dishes, like meat, are rarely consumed for breakfast. These tend to appear on French tables closer to lunchtime.

5. Morning in Germany

The traditional breakfast in this country is simple yet very satisfying, with meat and vegetables predominating. Typically, the first meal for Germans consists of fresh bread, cold cuts, a variety of cheeses, sausages, butter, and jam. The most popular drinks are coffee, milk, and tea. This breakfast style is common throughout the country, though there are regional variations. For instance, in Bavaria, traditional white veal sausages are often enjoyed in the morning, served with pretzels and sweet mustard. Sausages are particularly significant in Germany, with many different variations, and their recipes can vary greatly across the country’s various regions.

6. Greece

The cradle of European civilization, this sunny country delights with its rich landscapes and
historical heritage and with its diverse culinary traditions. A Greek breakfast can include a
variety of dishes, with traditional savory pies and fresh bread with different spreads being
particularly popular. People often enjoy eggs with feta cheese and tomatoes in the morning. In general, Greek cuisine is associated with fresh vegetables, plenty of greens, cheese, fish, and fresh fruit. The Mediterranean style of eating is considered one of the healthiest in the world. In addition to savory dishes, Greeks often indulge in desserts for breakfast. This country is credited with inventing cheesecakes, which are made with cottage cheese, flour, and sugar. These cheesecakes are fried until golden brown and served with honey, jam, yogurt, or chocolate. Fresh fruit is frequently added to the dish. The most popular drink is orange juice, although Greeks also enjoy coffee and tea in the morning. Yogurt with honey and walnuts is another popular breakfast dessert. Pastries are also common on the morning table. The following foods are commonly eaten in Greece in the morning: olives, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, bread, honey, yogurt, and eggs. The traditional breakfast is varied and nutritious, ensuring that it is tasty and energizing for the entire day.

7. Italian Morning

An interesting dish that Italians often enjoy for breakfast is eggs cooked in a hearty tomato
sauce. The dish is topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. There are many variations
of this recipe, depending on what ingredients are available in the kitchen. Italian dishes are
versatile, and Italians are known for making delicious meals with whatever they have on hand. When it comes to Italian cuisine, we usually think of pizza, pasta, pastries, meat, and
sauces. It may be surprising to learn that despite such a rich culinary tradition, Italians prefer a light breakfast. Hearty dishes are typically reserved for lunch and dinner. Instead, the breakfast table often features simple foods like freshly baked bread, jam, and butter. Biscotti and an Italian croissant are also common. The most popular morning drink in Italy is cappuccino, which pairs perfectly with the aforementioned items. Pancakes and delicious pastries are often enjoyed with coffee.

8. Breakfast in Spain

In Spain, the morning begins with a simple yet nutritious dish known as Pan con Tomate, which translates to “bread with tomatoes.” This dish originates from Catalonia and is particularly popular for breakfast. The preparation is straightforward: fresh bread is rubbed with garlic, tomatoes are added, and everything is drizzled with olive oil.

This breakfast is savory and quick to prepare, taking only minutes. To make it more satisfying, meat, ham, sausages, or cheese can be added. The most popular drink enjoyed with this dish is coffee, although many Spaniards also drink tea or various fresh juices. Additionally, cakes, sandwiches, and churros often appear on the morning table in Spain. Churros are a beloved dish in the country—fried sweet pastries made from choux pastry, shaped like a star in cross-section, although they can also be round. The elongated shape makes churros ideal for dipping in jam or chocolate.

9. Morning in the USA

Although culinary preferences vary from state to state, as the United States is vast, there are
some commonalities in breakfast choices. Americans enjoy a diverse range of dishes in the
morning, encompassing savory and sweet options. This approach is somewhat similar to the
traditional English breakfast. The typical American breakfast often includes eggs, cheese,
thin, crispy fried bacon, toast, and pancakes. The pancakes are typically served with butter
and maple syrup, and may be topped with berries, fruit, chocolate, or various jams. Unlike
European pancakes, American pancakes are fluffy and thick, and they are not always eaten with something sweet. Sometimes, bacon or sausage is added to balance the flavors.

The most popular morning drinks in the United States are coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. Waffles, chicken, and avocado toast are also commonly found on the breakfast table. Another interesting variation of the American breakfast is the bagel, a type of pastry with a filling. Traditionally, bagels are stuffed with Nutella, jam, or nut butter, but today, there are numerous variations. For instance, ham, bacon, or salmon with cream cheese can be added. Bagels and coffee make for a perfect breakfast for busy individuals in large cities, often eaten on the go while rushing to work.

10. Breakfast in Korea

Koreans know how to enjoy delicious dishes – breakfasts in this country are typically quite
satisfying and are often more like lunch. A typical Korean morning meal consists of rice, fish or beef, several side dishes, vegetable soup, and, of course, a plate of kimchi (traditional
pickled spicy cabbage). Fermented food is particularly popular in Korea, and kimchi is a staple at every meal.

One of the most commonly eaten dishes is vegetable pancakes. The batter is simple and
crispy, and the filling consists of a variety of mixed vegetables. This dish is typically served with a dipping sauce, and a boiled egg is often added for extra protein. Additionally, fried rice with kimchi and egg rice are also common breakfast choices in Korea.

11. China

This country is one of the largest in the world in terms of area and population. Not surprisingly, breakfast can vary significantly from region to region. The first meal in China is hardly considered light; it’s more substantial, resembling lunch in terms of satiety. The breakfast menu often includes noodles and meat, with rice, fried vegetables, and hot soups also commonly found on the morning table. It’s quite common for the Chinese to eat chicken for breakfast, as well as steamed buns, which may be filled or unfilled. The fillings vary widely, ranging from meat and beans to sweet cheese and jams.

An interesting dish on the breakfast table is you tiao, which consists of fried dough sticks.
These are typically dipped in warm soy milk before being eaten. Additionally, Chinese
dumplings are particularly popular and often enjoyed in the morning. As for drinks, tea is the
traditional choice, though younger people in cities frequently prefer coffee.

12. Breakfast in Ukraine

In Ukraine, a traditional breakfast is often hearty and comforting, designed to start the day with warmth and energy. One of the most beloved dishes is syrnyky—small, fluffy cheese pancakes made from quark (a soft cheese similar to ricotta) mixed with flour, eggs, and sugar, then fried until golden brown. Syrnyky are typically served with a dollop of sour cream, jam, or honey, making them a sweet and savory treat. Alongside syrnyky, Ukrainians enjoy kasha (a type of porridge, often made from buckwheat or oats), bread with butter, and freshly brewed tea or coffee. For those with a savory palate, cold cuts, cheese, and eggs are also common, ensuring that breakfast is satisfying and nourishing. This mix of simple yet delicious dishes reflects Ukraine’s rich culinary heritage and commitment to wholesome, home-cooked meals.

13. Egypt

One of the most ancient places in the world starts the day with a rather interesting selection of dishes. The most popular among them is ful, a delicacy made from chickpeas and beans.
These are stewed and seasoned with parsley, cumin, lemon, onion, and chili. The dish is
typically served with hard-boiled eggs and vegetables, which are cut into cubes. Pita bread is also always present on the table. This traditional breakfast is a great way to begin the day, as it provides the body with essential nutrients. Additionally, the morning table in Egypt features baladi (a traditional flatbread made from whole wheat) and shakshuka (a dish of eggs fried in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions). This breakfast is usually enjoyed with a cup of delicious Arabic coffee.

14. Indian Morning

In this culturally rich country, the day begins with a delicious, spice-filled meal. The more diverse the flavors in your breakfast, the better. In India, it is believed that every meal should incorporate six distinct tastes:

• Sweet
• Salty
• Sour
• Bitter
• Spicy
• Tart

As one of the largest countries in the world, India showcases significant regional differences in its cooking. For example, in South India, idlis are commonly served for breakfast. These are steamed cakes made from fermented rice and lentils. Another popular dish is dosa (pancakes made from fermented dough), typically accompanied by rice and vegetable stew.

People in India also frequently enjoy upma for breakfast, a spicy dish made from semolina. The list of breakfast options is extensive, with tastes varying greatly due to the active use of the wide range of spices that this amazing country is known for.

15. Morning in Mexico

Breakfast in Mexico consists of hearty, vibrant dishes, often with a touch of spice. Chilaquiles are especially popular—fried tortillas topped with red or green salsa, shredded chicken, and refried beans. Another traditional breakfast dish features eggs fried on tortillas, which is particularly common in rural areas. This dish is often accompanied by rice, beans, or avocado to make it more filling and flavorful. Churros are also a beloved Mexican breakfast treat. These deep-fried dough pastries are coated in sugar and cinnamon, making them a simple yet satisfying dessert. Coffee or hot chocolate pairs perfectly with churros, making for a comforting start to the day.

Delicious food is a key element of a happy life, providing energy and a sense of joy. No matter how busy life gets, it’s important to take the time for breakfast. Its taste, appearance, and aroma set a positive tone for the day ahead. Moreover, breakfast is an integral part of cultural identity, with its composition and presentation varying greatly across countries. Some cultures favor cold dishes, while others opt for warm ones. Whether it’s cakes or fruits, meat or fish, coffee or tea—the variety is truly remarkable. The more breakfast variations from around the world you explore, the richer your experiences become, making life all the more interesting. So, indulge in food from different cultures and savor the variety it brings.