What people around the world have for lunch?
Due to the difference in culture, climate, geography, and lifestyle, in some countries, “breakfast is king, lunch is prince, and dinner is a pauper” while others consider lunch as the main meal. So let’s take a look around the world to find out what people in different nations have for lunch!
Germany
There are usually three dishes in a German lunch including a main dish, a side dish, and a dessert. It takes them about 30 minutes to enjoy the lunch then back to work immediately. Schnitzel is a typical dish. It’s a kind of deep-fried tenderloin pork accompanied by many kinds of sauce. A perfect Schnitzel will be crispy but not dry and the sauce can not be too salty.
The USA
As the united states, there are many immigrants from all over the world living in the USA. Some of them still maintain their traditional lunch while others adopt the “fast-food culture”. American people prefer fast food because it’s convenient and time-saving. Therefore, this country is known as the paradise of fast food stalls and companies such as McDonald, KFC, etc. Most Americans choose a sandwich or hamburger accompanied by french fries, cakes and a coke. They sometimes change the menu into soup or salad.
France
In contrast to the Americans, the French still like to enjoy a leisurely lunch no matter how busy they are. Thus, they usually spend about two hours at lunch. Lunch (déjeuner) in France often takes place at 1 PM — 3 PM with a basic menu including bread, butter, and Paris styled bacon. The lunch’s components also vary from region to region. For example, in Provence, people eat salads with olive oil and tomatoes while in the northern region, due to the cold weather, they enjoy salads with butter and cream sauce.
Kenya
To the Kenyan, not only breakfast but also lunch and dinner, they enjoy all of them “like a king”. It is because most people don’t have the habit of having breakfast, so a hearty brunch (Breakfast + Lunch) can provide them with enough energy for a day. The lunchtime in Kenya is quite long so people often go out with friends for delicious dishes. Fried fish, fish head or steamed veal stomach are popular dishes at local restaurants.
Arabic
Pork is abandoned in the UAE because of religious issues. Instead, they will use chicken, beef, lamb, and even camel meat to make many delicious dishes. Especially in Dubai, foods cost a lot so officers here often choose street food like falafel or musakhan (roasted chicken sandwiches) to fulfill at lunch.
Brazil
Despite being very busy, the Brazilians do not have the habit of eating while moving like many other nations. Instead of it, they often spend a certain amount of time sitting for lunch, or even standing right at the street food vendors and enjoying their favorite food. Rice and baked beans are common dishes for lunch in this country. Sometimes, they change to other dishes such as eggs, salads or traditional farofa (made from tapioca flour, butter, and onions).
Japan
The Japanese only have about half an hour for lunch. As a result, they often prioritize convenient lunch with high energy. And bento is their optimal choice. Each bento is a piece of art expressing in the combination of ingredients and the decoration. A complete bento consists of four groups of nutrients such as carbs in rice, protein in meat, fish or egg, as well as vegetables and fruits. If the Japanese have no time to prepare at home, they will buy bento at the convenient store or even on the train.
Vietnam
Among the three main meals of the day, Vietnamese people focus more on lunch and dinner with a wide variety of cuisine than on breakfast. However, all three meals must contain all four groups of nutrients: carbs, protein, fat, and vegetables. In particular, rice and grease food are energy sources. In addition to the rice, lunch has at least three more side dishes including meat or fish boiled, fried or steamed, boiled or fried vegetables and soup. Lunch often takes place at a fixed time (around 11 AM to noon) when the whole family will enjoy the meal together in a cozy atmosphere.
How to make a balanced meal as the Vietnamese do?
Chinese
The Chinese often make lunch at home and pack to the office or buy “bian dang” (a kind of lunchbox) instead of eating out. It usually has four compartments containing rice, fried meat or eggs, dumplings, and vegetables. The employers here also encourage their staff to take a short break after lunch to increase work efficiency in the afternoon. Therefore, many companies offer their employees with a two-hour break in the middle of the day.
India
The Indians attach great importance to lunch so that they always make sure to prepare this meal with 3–4 hot dishes served with traditional tea. A common Indian lunch includes rice, moon dal (bean curry and potatoes), spicy meat, Chapati (Indian style roti bread), and a glass of sweet tea.
So what do people in your country often have for lunch? Or do you know something else about lunch at those countries above? Let me know in the comment below!
