There is a popular saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and when considering the culture surrounding food in many countries, the Chinese are true believers of the saying. While Chinese breakfast foods will certainly be different from ones you are used to, once you give them a try, you’ll be amazed at how many varieties you can choose from. 

Breakfast items in the Chinese culture are generally savoury and feature strong flavours that are rarely seen in other cuisines around the world. And, in many of the major cities, individuals typically prefer to have their breakfast on the go. This often means getting their breakfast from a street vendor. But what are these breakfast items? Let’s find out!

Classic Chinese Breakfast Foods You Must Try!

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most popular foods that are featured in Chinese breakfast cuisine. 

  • Fried Dough Stick and Soy Milk

Having a fried dough stick paired with soy milk is considered to be one of the best Chinese breakfast combinations and is immensely popular throughout the country. It’s a kind of batter made of flour that is deep-fried till it becomes crispy. While not one of the healthiest options, its partner in the meal, the soy milk, has a light and fresh flavour. The dough stick is typically dipped into the soy milk before it is consumed. This helps create a soft and juicy dough stick that resembles a desert. 

  • Congee

This is one of the many names given to a form of thin rice porridge that is consumed during breakfast across Asia, including China. The rice is typically cooked in stock or water till the grains completely break down. While by itself, the rice porridge can be quite bland, it’s served with different toppings to make it more flavourful and also to add texture. In other parts of China, like the north, the porridge is often made using other types of grains such as cornmeal, millet and sorghum. 

  • Steamed (Stuffed) Buns

This is another popular Chinese breakfast option and can be served either with stuffing or without. However, the unstuffed varieties are generally quite plain so people prefer the stuffed ones more. Both varieties go well with different types of pickles, sauces and chilli oils too. And, in terms of the stuffed varieties, you may choose from sweet or savoury fillings, depending on what you want. Another common type of steamed bun is the pan-fried soup variety owing to its popularity with the tender and juicy fillings that are accompanied by a chewy wrapper. 

  • Tofu Pudding

While it might sound like a strange option, tofu pudding is a popular breakfast snack choice for many in the country. The tofu has a soft texture that can easily be consumed in a small bowl or cup using a spoon. When having the sweet variety, one may notice the use of brown sugar syrup that adds the sweetness and some may occasionally use ginger to add a contrast of flavours. However, in terms of the savoury variety, salt and/or soy sauce are often used instead of sugar syrup. And, in some instances, meat might also be added to make the dish even more satisfying. 

  • Wheat Noodles

In the northern part of China, wheat is more commonly consumed and hence, wheat noodles are a common variety that can be found. And when it comes to breakfast items, a bowl of this flavourful and hot dish is the most popular option. In some parts, hot and dry noodles are consumed by almost everyone that lives in the region. The dish is prepared by first boiling and then frying the noodles before leaving to air dry. They are then scalded before having spicy condiments being added. It results in a dish that is chewy but extremely tasty. 

So, there you have it. Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of the types of foods that are commonly consumed as breakfast food items in the Chinese culture. While an introduction, this is in no way an exhaustive list and if you want to try some Asian foods, make sure you visit a branch of Noodle Oodle near you. You will be able to try new things you may or may not have tried before.