Here it is, the third day of 2020 already, and people are already asking themselves, “What can I do that’s different for breakfast this year?” Well, maybe not. But I thought it would be fun to take a look at what they commonly eat for their day-starter in various other parts of the world…
The Classic Full English Breakfast.
I’ve chosen the best (and the strangest) from A to Z…
Australia: Vegemite on Toast. Vegemite is a fermented Yeast spread that some find disgusting, others irresistible.
Bangladesh: Chapatis. They’re like Wheat Flour Tortillas, but a little firmer, and are typically topped with Scrambled Eggs or Potato Curry. Yes, for breakfast.
Costa Rica: Gallo Pinto. A combo of Rice and Beans usually served with Scrambled Eggs and Toast.
Cuba: Tostada with Café con Leché. Fresh Bread cut thick, then flattened and fried, and served with lots of Butter. Café de Leché is simply Coffee with lots of Milk .
Egypt: Ful Medames. Fava Been Stew with flavourings such as extra-virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Chili Flakes, crushed Garlic, Lemon and Cumin, and garnishes such as Hard Boiled Eggs, Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Scallions and Tahini.
France: Pastries and Baguettes. Warm and or toasted, spread generously with Butter and Jam.
Germany: Bread, Cold Cuts, Cheese and Hard Boiled Eggs. Accompanied by Butter, Jam and Honey. A do-it-yourself affair.
Iran: Haleem. A Stew of Wheat and Barley with minced Beef or Mutton, cooked for up to 8 hours. Topped with your choice of Chili, Ginger, Fried Onions, Chaat Masala, Cilantro and Lemon.
Israel: Shakshuka: A communal pan dish of Eggs poached in a thick, rich Tomato Sauce.
Jamaica: Akee and Salt Fish. The national dish of the island. Akee is a Fruit from the same family as Lychee. It’s usually boiled and Sautéed with Salt Fish (cod) and a mixture of Onions, Spices, Tomatoes and Peppers. Serve with Breadfruit and Bread.
Japan: Miso Soup. Served with Nori Seaweed, Fermented Soybeans, Pickles and Rice.
Malaysia: Nasi Lemak. The national dish of this country, made from Rice cooked in Coconut Milk. Often served with Sambal Chili Sauce, Hard Boiled Eggs, Peanuts, Cucumber and deep-fried Anchovies.
Mexico: Chilaquiles. Toasted Corn Tortilla Chops simmered in Tomato Salsa or Mole Sauce. Topped with anything from Crema or Queso fresco to Pulled chicken, Onion, Avocado or a Fried Egg. Often served with Rice and Beans on the side..
Netherlands: The German Menu, plus Halelslag. Quite different from the German breakfast (see above), Hagelslag consists simply of Buttered Toast topped with Candy Sprinkles. Chocolate is a favoured flavouy, we hear.
Peru: Tacacho con Cecina. Plantain Fritters (Tacachao) that are usually served with bits of crispy fried Pork. A favourite street food.
Phillippines: Tapsilog. The name is made up from the ingredients: Tapa (thin slices of Meat), Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice) and Itlog (Eggs, always fried). As with so many Philippoine dishes, like nothing else on earth.
Russia: Kasha. Buckwheat Porridge cooked with Milk and Sugar, and topped with Jam.
Singapore: Kaya Toast. Toast spread Coconut Jam, sometimes topped with a pat of cold butter and served with Boiled Eggs and Coffee.
Sweden: Smörgås. Perhaps the anti-breakfast in the minds of many Europeans and North Americans. An open-faced Sandwich typically on dark Rye Bread, featuring Ham, Cheese, Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato, and Hard-Boiled Eggs.
Tunisia: Lablani. Chiek Pea Soup made with Onion, Garlic, Cumin and Harissa paste. Often served with Poached Eggs: think Shakshuka but very spicy.
Uganda: Katogo. A stew of Green Bananas and Beans cooked until they form a creamy sauce.
United Kingdom: Full English Breakfast. A platter with Eggs, Bacon, Baked Beans, Fried Mushrooms, Grilled Tomatoes, Black Budding and Buttered Toast. The cosmic opposite of the other ‘national’ English Breakfast: Marmite on Toast with Tea (see photo top of page).
Venesuela: Cachapas. Sweet Corn Masa Cakes, folded and filled with Queso de Mano, a soft mild Brie-like cheese.
West India: Kande Pohe. A dish based on Flattened Rice, dry flakes of Rice that absorb liquids quickly. They are cooked with with Onions, Mustard Seeds, Cumin and Curry Leaves. Depending on where in Western India you have breakfast, Pohe is often served with Umpa Porridge or Thalipeeth Pancakes with Yogurt and Ghee on the side.
Zambia: Kandolo. Sweet Potato Fritters served with Milk Tea and a Ripe Banana or Orange. Also, Mealie Meal (Maise Meal) Porridge with Peanuts, Milk, Baobab, or Busika extracts, with a Fruit on the side.
Bored with breakfast?
Try some of these exotic and over-the-top favourites from around the world!
~ Maggie J.