From Gujrat to Glasgow: Breakfast Around the World

In many parts of India, especially the South, diners enjoy <i>idlis</i>, small steamed cakes made of rice and lentils, for breakfast. They eat these with <i>sambar</i>, which is a spicy vegetable soup. In other parts of India, people enjoy <i>akoori</i>, eggs scrambled with spices and <i>dosas</i>, crispy crepes, wrapped in various savory, spicy dishes.

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The Dutch pair bread and butter with <i>hagelslag</i> (chocolate sprinkles) for breakfast. (Yum!) They also enjoy cold cuts and cured meats with cheese and breads.

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Chinese dine on <i>congee</i> (a watery rice porridge dish prepared both sweet and savory) with pickled vegetables, preserved duck eggs, and meat for breakfast. The Chinese also love to eat dim sum (an array of steamed dumplings and various appetizers) in the morning.

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Argentineans enjoy <i>café con leche</i> (coffee with milk) and <i>medialunas</i> (mini croissants) for breakfast. Breakfast in Argentina is the lightest meal of the day.

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The Scottish love a heavy breakfast of bacon, sausage, baked beans, eggs, toast, and grilled kippers—smoked herring. They love fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, and fried haggis (a meat dish made by stuffing a sheep or cow belly with oatmeal and spices) as well.

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A traditional Korean breakfast consists of rice, a fermented cabbage dish called <i>kimchi</i>, beef or fish, a soup made of either beef ribs or pork intestines (tripe), and a selection of breads and pastries.

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Mexican breakfast, el desayuno, consists of huevos (eggs), frijoles (beans), tortillas, and y un licuado (fresh fruit juice). Mexicans also take pride in their heavy-bodied coffee that they enjoy with their morning meal.

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A typical Japanese breakfast consists of Miso soup, rice, pickled and fresh vegetables, seaweed, and grilled salmon. As all things from Japan, breakfast is immaculately presented in individually portioned bento boxes.

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A favorite breakfast dish in Sweden is <i>filmjölk</i>, a sour-milk yogurt, mixed with muesli and banana slices. Swedes also enjoy cheese, ham, sausage, and eggs served with buttered bread and juice.

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A typical Turkish breakfast includes cheeses, olives, breads, and fresh veggies. The Turks also eat Turkish-style eggy bread, called <i>yumurtalı ekmek</i> in the morning as well as <i>sucuk</i>, spicy Turkish sausage.

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In central Uganda, a typical breakfast would be a milk and ginger tea served with a warm meal known locally as <i>katogo</i>, a combination of green cooking bananas <i>(matooke)</i> mixed either in a stew from beef or in sauce from vegetables like beans.

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<i>Ful medames</i>, typical Egyptian breakfast fare, consists of mashed fava beans slow-cooked in a copper pot. <i>Ful medames</i> is served with plenty of olive oil, chopped parsley, onion, garlic, and lemon juice, and is typically eaten with Egyptian bread called <i>eish masri.</i>

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