How the world starts the day

From the pancakes and bacon of America to the bowls of chicken and rice in China, what you might eat for breakfast varies hugely depending on where you’re from. Here’s a look at what you’ll find on breakfast plates around the world.

USA

American breakfasts include delicious, thick pancakes that are fried in butter until they’re browned and fluffy, topped with syrup and sometimes berries. If this isn’t enough to feed your morning appetite, there’s always the option of adding some American bacon and fried eggs.

CANADA

Get into the Canadian culture with a full Lumberjack breakfast which includes pancakes or waffles smothered in authentic maple syrup and butter, breakfast sausages, Canadian bacon, eggs, toast and hash browns.

CHINA

Breakfast in China is pretty similar to the rest of the meals enjoyed throughout the day as it also includes a mixture of noodles or rice, accompanied by beef or chicken covered in rich sticky sauce and fried vegetables like bok choy.

JAPAN

Tofu is a staple in authentic Japanese breakfasts. Paired with fish and rice and soaked in soy sauce, it’s a super salty but tasty meal.

AUSTRALIA

As stereotypical as you may think it is, Aussies love their Vegemite (a paste made from yeast extract) on toast for brekkie, but to shake things up they sometimes swap the spread for avocado.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealanders prefer a simpler breakfast for the most part, with a particular favorite being Weet-Bix (wholegrain biscuits) and milk.

ENGLAND

The English love their full English ‘fry-up’ complete with bacon rashers, sausages, fried egg, fried tomato and mushrooms, baked beans, toast and black pudding (blood sausage).

FRANCE

France tends to stick to the bakery when it comes to breakfast. They pass on the heavy options like bacon or eggs and grab a pastry like a croissant or fresh baked bread with butter with a coffee instead.

GERMANY

Rye or sweet breads topped with butter, quark cheese and jam are a favorite of Germans. They also add a variety of cold meats and cheeses for a bigger meal.

INDIA

Indian breakfasts vary depending on the region you’re in, from poha (flattened rice) to idlis made of oats to a vegetable dish called misal. However, a tray offering different chutneys and breads such as roti and parathas are often found amongst the other options.

TURKEY

Traveling to Turkey? For breakfast you can expect platters of cheese, olives, eggs, tomatoes and cucumbers and spiced meats.

KOREA

Like China, Korea enjoys a breakfast that’s similar to the other meals they have throughout the day. Kimchi, vegetable soup and a bowl of fresh chopped steamed vegetables topped with an egg sunny-side up is typical.

MEXICO

In some parts of the world a Mexican breakfast would be considered a dinner. That’s because the hearty meal is typically a plate full of beef tips, nachos, cheese, beans and chilaquiles which is fried tortillas simmered with salsa and mole. Or there’s huevos rancheros, where eggs are the stars of the show.