Breakfast is such an interesting meal. How crazy is it that the ‘most important meal of the day’ is often the one we put the least amount of effort into? For many, breakfast grounds the day, and not having it as part of your usual routine can throw everything out of whack. Who knew a humble bit of vegemite toast or a bowl of Weetbix could be so crucial?
Your reliance on a set breakfast routine becomes glaringly apparent when on holiday. I know from experience: the first few days in Europe or Asia can be so exciting. Croissant and Nutella for breakfast? Wow, this is a real treat. Rice and noodles for breakfast? Holy moly, I am one cultured little lady.
After about a week, though, breakfast fatigue kicks in. I crave a little crunch of my morning bowl of sultana bran and would kill for some avo on toast. Noodles again? Blimey, I’ve had them for lunch or dinner, and it’s 35degrees. Why am I eating noodles in a boiling hot broth? More croissants? C’mon man, my jeans are tight as it is - do you at least have an apple I can munch on?
It isn’t until you travel that you realise the classic Aussie breakfast is just that: an Aussie breakfast. This begs the question - what is considered a standard breakfast in other countries, and how much would it set you back when travelling?
We’ve done the rounds and found the answers to all of your breakfast questions below.
America
They aren’t afraid of sugar in the USA. This fact becomes glaringly apparent when all of the cereal has at least 40% sugar. I like how they’ve essentially gone “look, chocolate and marshmallows aren’t healthy, but if we put them in cereal people will THINK its a healthy choice”. The logic is flawed, but people lap it up. Who can blame them when the non-sugar alternatives taste like twigs.
If you’re not keen on a bowl of sugar for breakfast, you can always opt for waffles, pancakes, toaster strudels or the classic bagel with cream cheese. You might also be able to swing bacon and eggs; however, their bacon is very different from what we are used to at home.
Long story short - don’t get your hopes up on a healthy breakfast in America. If you’re planning a trip, breakfast options will set you back the following:
Box of cheerios (twigs) - 5 USD
Box of Oreo cereal (sugar) - 7 USD
Bagel and cream cheese - 4 USD
Waffles in a diner (whipped cream included) - 9 USD
Bacon and eggs - 6 USD
The UK
The full English breakfast will kick start your day, filling you with enough energy to power through until a 5 pm pint at the pub. If you’re unfamiliar with an English breakfast, picture the following: a plate piled high with eggs, bacon, baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, black pudding and toast. Yummo, but maybe not wise to have every day.
If you’re after a lighter option, the Brit’s love some tea and toast, or beans on toast. If you’re missing home, I recommend taking a little tube of Vegemite with you to smear on the toast.
UK Breakfast pricing:
Full English breakfast - 20 GBP (it’s not cheap)
Tea and toast - 10 GBP
Vegemite - bring it from home, mate
Switzerland
Similar to Aussies, the Swiss are no strangers to a cheeky weekend brunch. However, they swap the avo toast and latte for some potato rosti, cold cut meats, cheese and zopf. Zopf is braided egg bread served with honey, butter and jam. During the week, they’ll happily settle for a bowl of oats and fruit, with some toast or cold cut meat.
Swiss breakfast pricing:
Muesli or oats - 5 CHF
Brunch - 30+ CHF
Iceland
Ready to start your day like a champion? Look no further than the life-giving elixir known as Lysi, packed full of cod liver oil. Yum, yum, yummo.
If cod liver oil ain’t your thing, why not try some hafragrautur which is viscous oatmeal. You can top this with nuts, fruits and sugar.
Icelandic breakfast pricing:
Bottle of Lysi cod liver oil - 1800 ISK
Hafragrautur - 100 ISK
Germany
Breakfast in Germany is the wurst… if you’re a vegetarian. Prepare for a choice of sausages, cold meats, cheese, plenty of bread, pretzels, fresh fruit, eggs and jams.
Speaking from personal experience, breakfast in Germany is quite pleasant (depending on where you are). Cities like Berlin will have plenty of cosmopolitan options, and the bread and condiments on offer are excellent.
German Breakfast pricing:
Cold meats, bread and cheese - 10 EUR
Bread with jams - 5 EUR
Sausage and bread - 8 EUR
Italy
Nothing kick starts your day better than a shot of espresso, which is perfect when travelling through Italy as there is so much to see and do; sitting for breakfast would just take up too much time.
If you’re in a rush, just stand at the cafe bar and have an espresso as it’s cheaper than sitting down. Alternatively, indulge in a seat and order a croissant or pastry filled with Nutella. If you’re feeling particularly peckish, why not try a sfogliatelle? They are a deliciously crunchy multi-layered pastry filled with sweet ricotta. Mmm, a minute on the lips, a lifetime of sweet, sweet ricotta memories. That’s the saying, right?
Italian breakfast pricing:
Espresso - 1 EUR
Sfogliatelle - 3 EUR
Croissant - 2 EUR
Scotland
It wouldn’t be Scotland if you weren’t indulging in a slab of haggis for breakfast. Don’t worry; you’ll get even more protein from the fried egg and sausages served alongside the haggis. If this isn’t your jam, you can opt for something closer to an English breakfast or some oats instead.
Scottish breakfast pricing:
Haggis delight breakfast - 6 GBP
English breakfast - 10 GBP
Oats - 4 GBP
Netherlands
Bless the Netherlands. In addition to the cold meats, cheese and bread that is typical of a European breakfast, the Dutch also like to dabble in a dish called hagelslag. I use the term ‘dish’ lightly, as hagelslag is literally just fairy bread. Simply grab some bread and sprinkle on your hagelslag of choice. Of course, if this isn’t sugary enough for you, you can always opt for some mini dutch pancakes known as poffertjes.
Dutch breakfast pricing:
Cold meats and cheese - 8 EUR
Hagelslag - 4 EUR for a container
Poffertjes - 6 EUR for a plate of 10
Spain
Three words: churros and chocolate. Maybe this is true; maybe it isn’t, I don’t care. You can have churros and chocolate for breakfast in Spain, and that is wonderful.
Spanish breakfast pricing:
Churros and chocolate - 4 EUR
Japan
As we move away from Europe and into Asia, there is no better place to start than Japan. A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of a selection of small savoury plates, otherwise known as a breakfast set. Picture salmon, miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables and tofu. If this doesn’t tickle your tastebuds at 7 am, why not try tamagoyaki, which is a sweet omelette.
Japanese breakfast pricing:
Breakfast set - 300 JPY
Tamagoyaki - 100 JPY
Singapore
In Singapore, each day revolves around food. Many will start their day with bowls of noodles or meat and rice dishes. Alternatively, a sweeter start is kaya toast, a toasted sandwich spread with jam made of coconut milk, eggs and pandan leaf. Topped off with a coffee, this is a great way to start your daily food escapades.
Singapore breakfast pricing:
Rice and meat - 3 SGD
Kaya toast - 2 SGD
Taiwan
The Taiwanese start their day with fresh soy milk known as dòu jiāng served hot in winter and cold in summer. The milk is then paired with savoury pancakes, dough fritters or dumplings. Feeling extra flirty? Dump your fritters into the milk. You’re welcome.
Taiwanese breakfast pricing:
Dòu jiāng - 25 NT
Pancakes - 80 NT
Dough fritters - 50 NT
Dumplings - 85 NT
Philippines
The Philippines are blessed with incredible fruit, especially mangoes. Oh gosh, the mangoes are amazing. While there, I had a mango shake for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Anway, mangos aside, a traditional Philippino breakfast consists of fruit (mangos + other fruits that I forgot because the mangos were so good), rice, little sausages, eggs and meat.
Philippino breakfast pricing:
Mango shake - 100 PHP
Traditional breakfast - 350 PHP
Tunisia
Lablabi is not just a fun word to say, but also the traditional breakfast in Tunisia! Lablabi is a chickpea soup spiced with harissa paste and often thickened with crusty bread or creamy yoghurt. If you’re extra hungry, top it off with a poached egg. Honestly, this sounds like a brunch I would get at my local cafe - delicious.
Tunisian breakfast pricing:
Lablabi - 4 TND
Israel
The Israeli breakfast has made its way to western cafes, with Aussie’s loving a classic shakshuka. If you haven’t heard of it, shakshuka consists of eggs poached in a tomato sauce seasoned with chilli, onion, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
Isreal breakfast pricing:
Shakshuka - 35+ NLS
As you can see, the definition of a ‘normal breakfast’ changes around the world. While these dishes may push you out of your breakfast comfort zone, they are a great insight into the local culture.
If you’re travelling overseas, you’re going to need some money to pay for your breakfast. Grab it from your local team at Travel Money Oz. With the Best Price Guarantee and a few breakfast tips of their own, you’ll leave prepared for your next adventure.
