5 x Asian breakfasts

In the Netherlands, we often have a quick breakfast of bread, yogurt, crackers and fruit, but in Asia they like to start the day with savory dishes. It might seem like a strange idea so early in the morning, but once you give in to it, you’ll discover the most delicious things.

Definitely skip the bread when you’re in an Asian country, because nine times out of ten it’s not tasty at all. So here’s a roundup for you: five breakfasts in Asia.

Congee

If comfort food is your thing, congee is your breakfast. Cooking rice in lots of water creates a porridge, which can then be topped with the most delicious things. How about pickled vegetables, chicken, or a thousand-year-old egg? Whatever you put on top, some paper-thin sliced spring onion and a splash of soy sauce always work well. Make this Chinese breakfast with this recipe.

Phở

Most people are familiar with this popular Vietnamese noodle soup, but did you know that it’s often breakfast for the Vietnamese? And we at FavorFlav don’t find that strange at all, because what better way to start your day than with a clear broth with ginger, herbs, lime, rice noodles and meat?

Japanese breakfast

We could have known, the Japanese simply eat a beautifully composed meal for breakfast. It often consists of rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, an egg (soft-boiled or an omelet) and a perfectly grilled piece of fish. Naturally accompanied by a cup of green tea. We’d be more than happy to eat this breakfast for lunch or dinner too.

Nasi kuning

In Indonesia too, they opt for something that, in our eyes, could perfectly well be eaten in the evening. Nasi kuning is rice cooked with coconut milk and turmeric. It’s often served with omelet, but also with fried anchovies and peanuts, ayam goreng or vegetables. Add a generous amount of seroendeng to the whole thing and you have a hearty breakfast.

Fried bread

Still not completely convinced? Fortunately, there are also some bread options, although most of them are fried. In China, the streets fill up in the morning with Youtiao, fried dough that you can dip in soy milk or coffee. Then there are also Bang ran, fried sesame buns made from rice flour.