9 Popular Chinese Breakfast Foods for a Bright Start
There are plenty of interesting breakfast foods around the world, and breakfast in China is no different. With plenty of variety and a whole lot of flavour, Chinese people are spoilt for choice when it comes to breakfast.
While quite a bit different than the breakfasts we might be used to here, Chinese breakfast still makes for an important start to the day.
So, what do Chinese people eat for breakfast? In this blog post, we'll share nine popular Chinese breakfast foods including many of our favourites that you might like to try.
What does a traditional Chinese breakfast look like?
A traditional breakfast here in the UK might come in the form of toast or cereal - staples of any breakfast table. In China, breakfast looks very different. In fact, it's often an on-the-go sort of affair, with all sorts of breakfast options purchased from street vendors.
Mostly savoury, Chinese breakfasts can vary a great deal - from congee to dim sum, noodles to rice, and even a Chinese take on pancakes and doughnuts.
#1 Chicken Congee (Rice Porridge)
Arguably the most traditional Chinese breakfast, Congee is often a daily go-to for a morning meal. Because congee can be made in many ways, it doesn't get boring. Our favourite type of congee has to be the chicken variety, but you can also get other forms: pork, beef, fish, seafood, or forgo the meat entirely with tofu and veggie versions.
Congee is just a wholesome Chinese breakfast food that brings comfort and warmth to the start of the day. We recommend adding meat or fish floss for even more flavour and fluffy texture.
#2 Pineapple buns
A classic and well-known option at any Chinese bakery or food stall, pineapple buns are an absolute treat! In fact, they were really popular in our household growing up, and for good reason.
Although pineapple buns don't actually contain any pineapples (in fact, it's mostly just entirely dough), they're still deliciously sweet. The name comes from the hard crust that forms when it's cooked, which just so happens to resemble a pineapple. And let us tell you, it's a delight to eat.
#3 Chinese Pancakes (Scallion)
A good Chinese pancake is the perfect snack or side dish. So it's easy to understand why it's also a popular Chinese breakfast food - especially if you're on the go.
Chinese pancakes are similar to the types of pancakes you may be used to eating. However they come packed with flavourful spring onions, or scallions. Crispy and flaky, they are just a perfect breakfast treat.
Chinese pancakes are absolutely addictive, whether you're eating them at breakfast or as a snack. Either way, we recommend eating them with a dipping sauce for extra flavour. They're so delicious that even the frozen variety can give you the sense of standing in a Chinese street market.
#4 Dim Sum
Although this might seem a little strange, everyone's favourite dim sum is actually a breakfast dish in China. It's actually among the most popular of Chinese breakfast foods, and for good reason! They're small and bite-sized packets with delicious fillings we can't get enough of.
We'd always considered dim sum a lunch-time snack, until we visited Hong Kong, where its prevalence as a breakfast or brunch item shocked us. But, a plate of dim sum paired with a great tea is a fantastic excuse for a morning meet-up with friends!
#5 Steamed buns and Dumplings
If dim sum is considered a Chinese breakfast food, then so too must steamed buns and dumplings. You can find steamed buns in many forms around China, but the most popular might be mantou. Usually eaten plain (mantou) or paired with meat (baoji), these soft and fluffy buns make for an excellent start to your day. You can even find western-style breakfast sandwiches between mantou buns now!
Chinese dumplings are a much smaller affair at breakfast. You're unlikely to find large, fully stuffed dumplings in the morning. Jiaozi is the most popular breakfast dumpling, usually filled with your choice of meat and paired with a dipping sauce.
#6 Chinese Noodles
Noodles are often viewed as a lunch or dinner food over here, but they're actually a staple Chinese breakfast food. There are two main types of noodles on offer at the breakfast table: miantiao (wheat noodles) and rice noodles.
Although not too dissimilar from the noodles you'd eat for dinner, breakfast noodles usually have a simpler flavour profile. The broth is usually savoury, light and delicate, acting as a lovely and refreshing way to start the day.
#7 Jianbing
In the simplest terms, jianbing is a Chinese breakfast crepe. In fact, it's often cited as one of China's most popular breakfast foods. And for good reason: it can be found at most morning street vendors.
Made with a typical crepe batter, with the addition of some egg and sauce, it's then the customer's choice what goes inside! From ham to onions, chillis to pickles, there's a lot of options and it can become quite the hefty crepe if you're not careful.
#8 Zongzi
Another traditional Chinese breakfast food, zongzi is another take on rice for breakfast. Similar in shape and style to Japanese onigiri, zongzi is also stuffed full of delicious fillings and wrapped into triangular shapes. But zongzi is made with different types of rice and fillings! The fillings you might see include: chicken, egg, mung beans, vegetables, and much more!
If you're a fan of rice balls, then zongzi is an absolute must-try Chinese breakfast.
#9 Youtiao Recipe (Chinese Fried Dough Sticks)
It seems Chinese breakfasts are more in-line with American breakfasts than you might initially expect, because yes, Youtiao is a type of doughnut. Although they're perhaps a little lighter and saltier than your typical doughnut, they're still a great breakfast snack. In fact some people describe them as Chinese churros.
These are long sticks of dough, that are deep-fried and airy with just the perfect amount of flavour to not overpower those morning taste buds. Be careful, though, they're a little more-ish.
Final Word
When it comes to Chinese breakfast foods, there are plenty of options to choose from. So, if you find yourself at a Chinese market, don't hesitate to give one a try - you never know what might turn out to be your favourite!
