Do you ever get bored of eating the same lunch at your desk every day? Maybe you've been having the same sandwich or salad for the past three days and want something different. Well, if you're looking to change things up a bit, let's explore the various ways people around the world enjoy their lunch.
Key Takeaways
Lunch is not the same everywhere you go. Different countries have different lunch traditions influenced by their cultures. This not only affects the types of the food people eat for lunch but also how much they eat. For example, in many European countries, lunch is the biggest meal of the day and breakfast and dinner are lighter.
The time people take for lunch breaks can vary depending on where they live. Many lunches include a main dish that's quick and easy to eat. Some people organize their lunches into sections, like separating carbohydrates, vegetables, and meat or fish.
We've gathered lunchtime meals from all over the world, including some of our personal favorites. If you're feeling hungry and adventurous, take a virtual trip with us to explore what people are eating for lunch globally. Challenge yourself to try new flavors inspired by the diverse lunches we've discovered when noon rolls around. It's time to think beyond the usual lunch options and savor the delicious variety the world has to offer.
A long time ago, around a thousand years back in the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333), people started using bento boxes. Initially, they were just for carrying rice. But things changed in the late 16th century when the famous lacquered wooden box came into play. It became a cool way to pack lunches. Inside a typical bento box, you'd find a mix of goodies vegetables, rice, and some kind of meat or fish. In Japan, bento boxes often hold sushi, seaweed salad, tempura or raw veggies, rice, and meat. They're packed so neatly that they almost look too good to eat. You can make bento boxes at home, have them at school, or get them at restaurants.
Bento boxes have different styles. There's Kyaraben, where the food looks like pop culture characters such as Hello Kitty. Then there's Noriben, a simple bento with less than four ingredients. These boxes come in various materials and shapes, from the traditional lacquered wood to plastic and bamboo. Some even come with extras like chopsticks and utensils. So, whether you're into cute characters or simplicity, there's a bento box for everyone.
Kimbap is a popular and light lunch in Korea. It's a bit like Japanese sushi, but instead of raw fish, kimbap usually has cooked or pickled veggies and meat. The ingredients are rolled up in sticky white rice and wrapped with gim, which is dried seaweed.
In South Korea, school lunches are made up of rice, soup, kimchi, and mixed veggies called banchan. Some schools also offer Western choices like pasta, chicken nuggets, and french toast. If you're having lunch in South Korea, having kimchi is a must!
In France, one of the most well-known lunch dishes is the croque monsieur. It's like a fancy ham and cheese sandwich but with a French twist extra tasty thanks to French butter and cream.
Another favorite is a crispy baguette filled with unsalted butter and slow-roasted 'Jambon de Paris.' It's a simple, classic, and delicious lunch in France. French office workers often follow this sandwich with something sweet, like a slice of apple tart. If you're looking for a lighter option, the salade niçoise is a great choice.
For the kids in France, school lunches usually include salad, meat, vegetables, bread with cheese, and a tart or fruit for dessert. Some schools even went meatless during the pandemic to make lunch service easier.
In China, workers usually do one of two things for lunch they either bring food from home or grab a "bian dang" on their way to work. This handy boxed meal, literally named "convenience," often has rice, fried meat or eggs, dumplings, and veggies. For kids, their lunch might include Bok choy, yuxiang pork (pork with a garlic sauce), steamed buns, and sometimes soup.
Here's an interesting thing: in China, some workers and students are encouraged to take a short nap after lunch to boost productivity in the afternoon. Because of this, some places let their employees and students have up to two hours away from their desks in the middle of the day.
In India, a famous lunch style is called Tiffin. Even though the term originally meant English afternoon tea during British rule, in modern India, it refers to a snack between meals or a packed lunch.
Tiffin boxes have a long history from British India. They come in various shapes, but the traditional ones are round with three to four stacking parts. The bottom layer has carbs like naan or rice, the middle has a pickle or salad, and the top holds the protein, like curry. These boxes always have a secure lid, a handle on top, and a side clip to avoid spills.
Tiffin boxes are not just for lunches; they can also carry snacks. In India, dabbawalas have been delivering these home-cooked lunches to office workers for over a hundred years.
India also runs the world's largest school lunch program, providing over 100 million free meals to kids every day. The usual school lunch includes vegetables, dal (lentil stew), paneer (a popular cheese), and naan, chapati, or roti (different types of flatbreads).
In the United States, there's a yummy and filling lunch called the Reuben sandwich. It's made with thin slices of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, all sandwiched between two slices of rye bread. Usually, they grill or toast the ingredients, making it warm and melty a real treat!
Another tasty option is the BLT, which stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It's a classic American sandwich with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes. This simple combo has been loved for a long time and is still a go-to for a quick and delicious lunch.
And let's not forget the burger, an iconic American favorite found on lunch menus everywhere. It's got a juicy patty, tasty toppings, and a soft bun basically, it's the ultimate comfort food.
Let's talk about "smørrebrød," which is said like "smuhr-broht." It's basically an open-faced sandwich that starts with a strong buttered bread. These sandwiches are more than just buttered bread; they often have pickled herring, shrimp, or another kind of fish, along with horseradish cream or cheese. They're placed on a thin layer of rugbrød, a sourdough rye bread full of cracked whole grains and seeds. There are many different combinations of ingredients for these sandwiches.
Sometimes, people use fruits like plums and apples on top. What's unique is that smørrebrød is eaten with a fork and knife. The order of the foods is important. It goes herring first, then another fish, meat, and finally, cheese. Oh, and don't forget to butter the bread. These delicious Danish sandwiches were originally hearty and budget-friendly lunches for factory workers in the late 19th century. They used leftovers to make a satisfying meal until dinner.
In Italy, lunchtime is a bit different depending on where you work or go to school. In small towns, folks might head home to eat with their families. But in big cities, office workers often go to a tavola calda, which is like a snack bar, for their hour-long lunch break.
If you're having lunch at home, you might enjoy a bowl of pasta with tuna, tomatoes, and olives, along with a green salad. But if you're at a snack bar, you can grab some pizza al taglio. These are large rectangular pizzas baked in sheet pans, cut into slices, and sold by weight. That way, people can get as much or as little as they want.
Now, when it comes to school lunches in Italy, they usually serve Penne pasta, meat with a side of veggies, and fruit for dessert. What's cool is that schools there often use organic ingredients to make the lunches.
In Spain, taking a "lunch break" is a big deal. Many towns and cities go all out, taking a two to three hour break in the afternoon when the sun is really hot. People usually head home during this time for a family meal and maybe a nap, which they call a “siesta.”
Since lunch is the main meal of the day, it's quite a feast in Spain. They go for hearty dishes, and one favorite is paella. It's a mix of rice and seafood like oysters, shrimp, mussels, clams, fish, and sometimes chicken. They also throw in some veggies. Paella is often served with a salad or scooped up with bread.
In schools in Spain, they serve paella, veggies, gazpacho, fresh peppers, bread, and fruit. Spaniards usually follow a Mediterranean diet with lots of fresh seafood from the coast, whole grains, and seasonal fruits.
In Morocco, a regular lunch, also called "zitoune," is a mix of different dishes served together on a big platter. One common dish is Tagine, which gets its name from the clay pot it's cooked in. It's like a stew made with carrots, squash, onion, garlic, garbanzo beans, and tomatoes. They spice it up with coriander, pepper, cayenne, salt, and a dash of pepper. Each family has its own tagine recipe, and they often serve it over couscous.
Another dish is Couscous, a kind of pasta made from semolina wheat. People usually have it with a meat or vegetable stew on top. So, in a traditional Moroccan lunch, you get a mix of tasty dishes meant to be shared with family on a big plate.
Also read: The Best Place to Have Brunch Seminyak (Bali Edition)
In Tunisia, one of my favorite lunch dishes is Shakshuka. This tasty dish is believed to have started in Yemen or the Lybian-Tunisian area, and many countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East enjoy it.
Shakshuka is a dish with poached eggs cooked in a mix of tomatoes, chilli, peppers, and onions. You can have it at any mealtime, whether it's brunch or lunch. It's a flavorful choice, and if you're in the mood for something lighter, Shakshuka works well for that too.
In Vietnam, the lively street food scene is the go-to spot for busy workers looking for a quick lunch. If you're not in the mood for soup and noodles, chances are banh mi sandwiches are on the menu.
This Vietnamese sandwich comes with braised meat, pickled veggies, and cucumbers on a sliced and often toasted baguette. The Vietnamese baguette is lighter because it's made with rice and wheat flour. People often add condiments like pâté, mayonnaise, and chili especially for Banh Mi enthusiasts, pâté is a must, showing the French influence on this sandwich.
Another tasty option is banh xeo, a crispy savory pancake made with rice flour and filled with flash-fried pork, prawns, and veggies. It's a delicious and convenient choice for a quick and satisfying lunch on the go.
In Jamaica, there's a simple and traditional lunch that brings together two beloved foods. First up is coco bread, which looks like an American dinner roll. It's a sweet and soft bread made with coconut milk. Usually, they split it down the middle and fill it with a Jamaican patty.
Now, a Jamaican patty is a tasty pastry filled with meat, cheese, and veggies. Its golden color comes from either an egg yolk mix or turmeric. You can keep coco bread in the freezer for up to two months in an airtight container. When you stuff it with minced seasoned beef, it becomes an affordable, popular, and quick midday meal. It's a delicious combo that many in Jamaica enjoy for lunch!
In Argentina, a popular lunch choice is empanadas. These are savory pastries filled with tasty ingredients like meats, cheeses, veggies, and flavorful spices. In Argentina, you often find chicken and beef empanadas, but the fillings can change from place to place. They can be baked or fried, and sometimes, people stamp letters on them to show what's inside.
Another option for lunch in Argentina is Milanesa de pollo, which is basically breaded meat along with a side of starch and rice. It's a delicious meal that people enjoy, offering a variety of flavors and textures. Argentina has some tasty and diverse lunch options to savor!
In Austria, when it's time for lunch, workers like to have a hearty and satisfying hot meal. One of Austria's go-to dishes is schnitzel, and it's a real favorite. Here's how it's made: they take flattened meat, coat it in breadcrumbs, and fry it up.
The perfect combo is pairing it with buttery new potatoes and a fresh green salad. It's a filling and delicious option that many folks in Austria enjoy during their lunch break!
In Brazil, they have a unique way of doing lunch called the Brazil-style buffet. These lunch spots, known as "kilo" restaurants, have a buffet where you pay based on how much your food weighs. It's a quick, affordable, and convenient way to enjoy restaurant-quality meals.
These buffet restaurants have a variety of food, including salads, meats, cheeses, and traditional Brazilian dishes. You make your plate, weigh it, and get a ticket with the price. After you eat, you bring the ticket to pay. Just be careful not to lose it, or you might end up paying more.
Another lunch option in Brazil is Feijoada. It's a slow-cooked stew with beans and meat in a rich gravy. You can find this classic Brazilian dish in barbecue restaurants or from street food vendors. The best way to enjoy it is with rice and a sip of refreshing coconut water. It's a tasty and satisfying meal!
In the UK, a common office lunch is a straightforward tuna sandwich paired with microwaved leek and potato soup, followed by Maltesers and a coffee. These sandwiches are often pre-packaged for a quick grab-and-go meal. You can find them everywhere, from supermarkets to gas stations. These triangular sandwiches are a speedy and budget-friendly lunch option enjoyed by many workers throughout England.
There are other popular variations, too, like tuna and cucumber, BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato), and ham and cheese or pickle. The pickles, called Branston pickles, are more like a condiment, and British mayonnaise has a tangier taste compared to the one in the U.S. These simple and convenient lunches are widely available and suit the fast-paced routine of many UK workers.
In Germany, workers usually like a shorter lunch break and often choose to stay in the office instead of going to a nearby shop or restaurant. Many prefer using the office canteen, and most don't take more than half an hour away from their desk.
A common office lunch in Germany includes a fast-food favorite called "currywurst." It's sausages that are grilled, sliced, and topped with curry ketchup, served with chips. After munching on currywurst and chips, it's common to have an apple and some water. It's a quick and tasty lunch option that many German employees enjoy without taking too much time away from work.
The Dutch really love their cheese, and it's said that each person eats around 17 kilograms of it every year! So, it's no wonder that in Holland, folks often bring a cheese sandwich to work each day.
It's a straightforward lunchbox favorite, and they usually enjoy it with some fresh fruit, like sliced apples or grapes. It's a simple and tasty lunch that many people in the Netherlands enjoy as part of their daily routine.
In Iran, a well-loved lunch is Khoresh, a type of stew. Khoresh is a broad term for stew, and it often features saffron, which is a pricey but flavorful spice. The ingredients used in Khoresh depend on the popular and available foods in different parts of the country.
There are countless variations of the recipe, with some versions being vegetarian, containing veggies, legumes, and spices like turmeric. Even though it's a stew, Khoresh isn't very soupy, and it's typically enjoyed with steamed rice. It's a delicious and diverse dish enjoyed by many in Iran.
In Indonesia, the variety of lunch options is amazing. There's "nasi campur," which is mixed rice with a bunch of different toppings like fried tempeh, vegetables, and eggs. Then there's "nasi goreng," a popular fried rice dish made with sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, tamarind, and chili. It's often topped with fried eggs, chicken, prawns, or veggies.
And don't forget about "gado-gado," a salad with boiled vegetables, boiled eggs, fried tofu or tempeh, and compressed rice cake, all covered in a tasty peanut sauce. Indonesians have a wide range of delicious choices for lunch!
Also read: Breakfast Around the World & Where to Eat Breakfast Seminyak Edition
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