It is well known that breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day and what we choose to eat can vary from day to day. A typical European breakfast usually consists of food items like toasted bread, eggs, cereal, milk or coffee, but what about other parts of the world? In this article, we will take a look at some common breakfast dishes served throughout Asia.
Yam Cha - China
Photo Credit: MILKOVÍ
Yam Cha literally means "Drinking Tea" in Cantonese. It is an old Chinese tradition practiced usually inside tea houses, where people gathered together to chat and gossip. Yam Cha refers to the whole meal which consists of several bite-sized dishes (Dim Sum) and green tea. Each portion is served in a round bamboo basket and includes a variety of either steaming or fried food. The most popular choices are dumplings, spring rolls, shrimp or pork buns and bao bread.
Miso Soup - Japan
Photo Credit: Lizette Carrasco
Breakfast in Japan is taken seriously, so you will not find a morning meal consisting only of one dish. Miso soup, cooked with soy bean paste and tofu is a popular choice and it is normally served hot, accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice, pickled vegetables, grilled or broiled fish, dried seaweed and traditional Japanese rolled omelet (Tamagoyaki).
Idli - India
Photo Credit: Jelleke Vanooteghem
Small hot round cakes made of black lentils and rice, Idli may look like a simple meal but it is actually considered one of the most nutritious breakfasts around the world! Rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates, Idli can be cooked in various ways but it is traditionally served with Chutney, small portions of dipping sauce consisting mainly of vegetables mixed with seasonings such as salt, spices, herbs and yogurt. In India Idli is also given as medicine to those of poor digestion such as babies and people of old age.
Jok - Thailand
Photo Credit: Alison Marras
Jok (pronounced Joke) is thick rice porridge, found in food carts in the streets of Bangkok. You can choose between fish, pork or chicken as an extra ingredient and an egg cracked on the top. It is typically garnished with garlic, ginger, cilantro, and fish sauce. So next time you happen to be in the Thai capital, do not hesitate to start your day with a bowl of Jok!
Tapsilog - Philippines
An easy but delicious breakfast to try is tapsilog. Its ingredients derive from its name, tap (beef), si (fried rice) and log (egg). Filipinos prepare the meat by slicing it and leaving it to dry and then grill or fry it. Rice is sauteed with oil and garlic and served along with sliced vegetables, pickled papaya (Atchara) and a fried egg on the side.
Fatteh - Lebanon
Photo Credit: Edgar Castrejon
It is widely known that Lebanese cuisine holds a high place in the heart of food lovers worldwide. Fatteh comes in many variations and it is popular mainly in Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon and Israel. This distinctive morning dish includes cooked chickpeas mixed with lemon juice and salt, served on a toasted pita bread and a savory yogurt sauce. Mint, paprika and/or chopped parsley make an ideal garnish for this tasty meal.
Mas Huni - Maldives
Would you choose fish as the first meal of the day? Well, for the Maldivians having tuna for breakfast is something typical. In the old days Mas Huni was cooked with a kind of Maldive fish, which was cured and sliced into two pieces, but now most locals use canned tuna instead. Another ingredient that makes Mas Huni so special is the freshly grated coconut! Onion and chilly are chopped and mixed together with everything else and served with huni roshi, a traditional flatbread.
Bubur Ayan - Indonesia
Photo Credit: Charles Koh
Bubur Ayan is a kind of congee, an Asian rice porridge with sliced chicken. It is so popular, that you can even find it among the main food items in the Indonesian McDonald's menu! Indonesians call it "comfort food" because of the soft, silky form of the porridge. When cooked, the congee is served with fried Chinese breadsticks (youtiao), pickled cabbage, fried shallots and soybeans along with some hard-boiled eggs.