10 Best Breakfasts From Around the World

Around the World in 10 Breakfasts

Breakfast, the best and most important meal of the day in our eyes. Here’s a taster of what different nationalities around the world eat first thing to get them going for the day. There’s some pretty random shizzle in here!

10. Natto (Japan)

Fermented soy beans are classed as a delicacy in Japan and if you can get over the pungent cheesy smell, strong flavour and slimy mucus-like texture they are very good for you. Natto is perfectly nutritious being high, in fibre with zero cholesterol, which means you can have more! Mmm yummy.

9. Hagelslag (The Netherlands)

These popular sprinkles (translated as hailstorm) come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavours, including fruit and chocolate. Not only to be enjoyed on ice cream, the Dutch and Belgians actually put them on buttered bread and toast! Not particularly nutritious but a great way to start the day on a sugar high.

8. Churros (Spain)

Nothing beats churros and hot chocolate when falling out of a Spanish nightclub in the early hours. Similar to a long doughnut, they are deep fried dough delights which you dip into thick hot chocolate. Churros contain enough sugar, fat and starch to stave off the hangover, for a while at least.

7. Croque Monsieur (France)

Basically a posh ham and cheese toastie, what’s not to like? They’re easy to eat on the go, crunchy, filling and oozing with cheesiness. Variations are eaten all over Europe and known as ‘tost’ in Italy and ‘tosti’ in the Netherlands.

6. Kedgeree (Scotland)

An old classic, who’d have thought rice and fish would go so well with boiled eggs and curry powder? It seems a strange dish to originate in Scotland and indeed it actually comes from India and was brought back by returning colonials in Victorian times. Kedgeree is said by many to be an excellent hangover cure.

5. Chilaquiles (Mexico)

Another clever use of yesterday’s leftovers, Chilaquiles are corn tortillas covered in green or red salsa with scrambled or fried egg on top and sometimes shredded chicken or bacon. Topped with cheese and cream and served with beans. Delicious, and a great breakfast for when you’ve hit the tequila hard the night before.

4. Doubles (Trinidad and Tobago)

Doubles are the most popular street food on the islands and are so named because of the two pieces of fried flatbread that the curried chick peas are served on. They are topped with mango, cucumber, shadon beni (herb), and pepper sauce. The experience of buying the doubles from the busy street-side huts with music blaring adds to the magnificent taste.

3. American Breakfast

I want it all and I want it now! This is what an American breakfast screams at me. Eggs, sausage, potatoes, streaky bacon, ok. Pancakes and syrup. What? Together? A veritable explosion of salty and sweet. Or a heart attack on a plate.

2. Arepas (Venezuela)

Corn flour flatbreads, which are always toasted and never fried, they can be as healthy or unhealthy as you like. Filled with butter, cheese, meat, sausage or egg, the possibilities are endless. A popular filling is the ‘reina pepiada’ meaning curvy queen and named in honour of the first Venezuelan Miss World in 1955. Containing chicken, mayonnaise and avocado; eat enough and you’ll definitely get those curves a curving.

1) Masala Dosa (India)

A light and crispy pancake made from rice batter and black lentils and filled with potatoes, onions and spices served with a curry sauce and coconut chutney. The Masala Dosa is a culinary delight which is neither too heavy nor too light. Start the day on a dosa and you’ll be ready for anything.