What Does the World Eat for Breakfast?

Breakfast is widely considered the most important meal of the day. It gives us energy and keeps us sharp until lunchtime. What we eat varies from place to place. In lots of European countries, the first meal of the day is a piece of bread or pastry and strong coffee. In some Asian countries, breakfast might be similar to lunch and dinner. Breakfast around the globe: what’s on the menu?

1. CHINA: Traditional breakfasts vary from region to region, but the combination of fried dough sticks and warm soy milk is enjoyed by millions. Hot soups are also popular.

2. AUSTRALIA: Many Australians eat Vegemite on toast every morning. They also eat a lot of fruit and sometimes indulge in a full English breakfast.

3. BRAZIL: Strong coffee and milk are enjoyed with a plate of ham, cheese, and bread. Feijoada, a black bean and meat soup, is also eaten in the morning.

4. ENGLAND: Breakfast may begin with orange juice or cereals. Breakfast, especially on weekends, is the full English breakfast: bacon, eggs, sausages, grilled tomato, mushrooms, tea, toast, and marmalade.

5. JAPAN: Breakfast is often light and simple. A bowl of miso soup and rice are often the main part of the meal. They also have cooked fish and pickled vegetables, and of course a cup of green tea.

6. FRANCE: A piece of baguette, topped with butter and jam, is a common breakfast in France. Breakfast pastries, such as croissants, are often also eaten together with coffee or a glass of juice.

7. GERMANY: Germans enjoy an assortment of fresh bread, cold meats, local cheeses, butter, and jam. Breakfast is usually accompanied by a delicious coffee.

8. TURKEY: A traditional breakfast consists of bread, cheese, butter, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, and thick cream. It can also include "sucuk", a spicy Turkish sausage, and Turkish tea.

9. KOREA: Korean breakfast is very similar to a Korean dinner. There's rice, soup, the ever-popular kimchi, some type of fish or beef, and other leftovers from the previous night's dinner.

10. UNITED STATES: Eggs, pancakes, and bacon or sausage is the most common American breakfast but breakfast can vary from state to state.