If you start your day with bacon and eggs or a hearty bowl of oats or cereal, you’re in for a dose of culture shock when you move abroad. Nutritionists claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so quickly acclimatising to your new breakfast, is an important part of settling into your new country. Here’s what you can expect on your breakfast plate if you’re moving to any of these countries:

Breakfasts from around the world

Japan

Breakfast in Japan can almost feel like an evening meal. Be prepared for a bowl of steamed rice, hearty miso soup and grilled fish. You might be lucky to also receive an egg – which is delicious with tsukemono (pickled vegetables)

China

If you like carbohydrates, breakfast in China might appeal. Sit down to deep-fried dough sticks, steamed buns stuffed with meat, wheat and rice noodles, wontons, dumplings and rice porridge.

India

Like Japan, breakfast in India can feel like a hearty meal. Expect to be served roti (flatbread), dosas (thin crepes made of lentils) or idlis (steamed rice-dough pancakes). These are all accompanied with different dips, chutneys and spiced potatoes. Lunch anyone?

Germany

Breakfast in Germany is more like lunch, or even a picnic. Expect to be served cold meats such as ham and salami, various cheeses and rolls. Occasionally you may be served toast made from a dark brown bread and everything is washed down with a sweet cup of orange juice or very strong coffee.

Sweden

Sweden follows in Germany’s footsteps with a more ‘lunch-style’ breakfast. Feel like a sandwich anyone? Well then you’ll love Sweden’s traditional breakfast item – an open-faced sandwich consisting of two slices of buttered bread topped with ham, cheese, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and a hard-boiled egg.

Mexico

Mexicans start their mornings with a large meal of huevos rancheros which is a classic Mexican breakfast consisting of tortillas, rice, beans and eggs all topped with a spicy red sauce. You can also expect to be served pulled chicken, cheese, refried beans and chilaquiles – fried corn tortilla chips topped with green or red salsa.

Spain

Breakfast in Spain has something for everyone. Expect to be served the famous Spanish omelette, Spanish ham, pan con tomate (a tomato, garlic and olive oil sandwich), Spanish cupcakes, coffee, orange juice, and for those with a sweet tooth – hot chocolate with churros (a fried dough pastry) which is dipped into the hot chocolate.

Switzerland

The Swiss must have one of the healthiest breakfasts in the world. You won’t be counting any calories as you enjoy homemade muesli made from oat flakes, nuts, raisins and dried fruit – eaten together with yoghurt. If you feel like something slight less healthy, tuck into the multitude of bread made by the famous Swiss bakeries – all enjoyed with butter, jams, honey, cheese and cold meats.

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