What The World Eats For Lunch

Lunch has an important role in breaking up the working day and providing office workers with much needed fuel to endure the rest of it. However, for many employees lunch break becomes a boring routine: don’t you feel tired of your usual FamilyMart sandwiches and Hefans? In this post WoowBow introduces you typical office lunches from 8 different countries: perhaps some can serve you as an inspiration and break the routine. Continue reading and don’t forget to share!

#1. Inspired by Brazil: Mix of Rice, Beans, Salad and Meat

Having no name this meal is the most popular among Brazilian office workers. Loved for its simplicity and high content of fiber and protein this typical office lunch may be replaced once a week with a national favorite - feijoada. In case you don’t know, feijoada is a dish made with black beans, beef, pork and vegetables.

#2. Inspired by Laos: Larb

Larb (also spelled as laap) belongs to one of the most popular dishes in Lao kitchen. It represents the mix of minced meat (usually chicken or beef), vegetables and herbs flavored with fish sauce and lime juice. Larb is typically served with a portion of sticky rice and peanuts.

#3. Inspired by Vietnam: Bánh mì

A variation of traditional French baguette, Vietnamese Bánh mì is made with rice and wheat flour and is airier than its Western counterpart. It usually consists of one or more meats and is accompanied by different vegetables and condiments. Perhaps one of the top lunch choices of Vietnamese employees is Bánh mì thịt nguội - mix of Vietnamese cold cuts such as pork belly, fresh cucumber slices, pickled carrots, white radishes, cilantro and chili.

#4. Inspired by the Czech Republic: Roasted pork with Dumplings and Sauerkraut.

Enormously loved by Czech citizens this dish is often served in restaurants during lunch breaks. It is very filling and suits best for cold winter times. Often comes along with a glass of beer (don’t be surprised: after all, beer is a Czech national beverage).

#5. Inspired by Turkey: Pide

Pide is a flatbread similar to pizza that is traditionally baked in a wood-fire oven. It comes with a variety of toppings - minced or chopped lamb meat, Turkish sausage, vegetables and cheese or pastrami as an example.

#6. Inspired by Russia: Kotlety with mashed potato

The word “kotlety” doesn't have an exact equivalent in English, but it is most often translated as either cutlets or meat patties. Kotlety simply represent a portion-sized mini-meatloafs typically made from a minced meat, mashed bread and onions. Kotlety are usually pan-fried and served with mashed potato and gerkins.

#7. Inspired by France: Quiche

Together with different sandwiches, baguettes and pizzas quiche is a common lunch choice of busy French white collars. It represents a savory, open pastry crust and a custard-like mixture of cream, cheese and eggs that is usually combined with meat, fish or vegetables. If you live in a big city such as Beijing or Shanghai, most probably you have already tried it.

#8. Inspired by Japan: Teishoku

Teishoku is a classic Japanese set meal - a combination of rice, grilled or stir-fried meat (most often beef, chicken or fish), pickles, vegetables and miso soup. Mmmm…

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