Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and therefore in many parts of the world, people are redefining what breakfast should be by embracing the comforting warmth of curries. But what curries are eaten for breakfast? Moreover, Many cultures across Asia, Africa, and even Europe have diverse traditions where a variety of curries serve as a staple at the breakfast table. This article explores different curries that are popular for breakfast, their cultural significance, and how they make for an ideal morning meal.
Introduction to Breakfast Curries
Curry signifies a wide range of dishes, often rich with spices and served with some form of bread or rice. Many cultures enjoy breakfast curries because they are nutritious and versatile, offering a perfect blend of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. In regions like South Asia, people often enjoy curry in the morning as a wholesome start to the day. Learn more about healthy breakfast curry recipes here.
For example, in India, for instance, breakfast curries often include lentils, vegetables, and mild spices that are paired with bread such as chapati or paratha. In Japan, people enjoy curry rice not only for lunch and dinner but also for breakfast on occasion, which provides an energy boost for the day ahead.
Read more about the benefits of spices in your diet and how including them in breakfast curries can support your overall health.
Curry at breakfast might sound unusual if you’re used to sweet cereals or toast.Nevertheless, it has gained popularity outside of traditional cultures because it delivers long-lasting energy and satisfying flavors. In addition, the combination of spices and ingredients provides a wide range of nutrients essential for starting the day right.
Regional Breakfast Curries
Indian Breakfast Curries
India is known for its diverse culinary landscape, and this diversity is evident in the variety of breakfast curries enjoyed across the country. Breakfast curries in India vary from north to south, each with unique ingredients and flavors. Some of the most popular options include:
- Chole Bhature: A classic from North India, Chole Bhature features spicy chickpea curry served with fried bread called bhature. It remains a popular choice, especially in Punjab.
- Pesarattu with Allam Pachadi: Originating from Andhra Pradesh, this green gram dosa pairs with a spicy ginger chutney.
- Aloo Curry with Poori: In several Indian states, people prepare aloo curry made with potatoes, often paired with deep-fried bread called poori for a hearty breakfast.
- Sambar with Idli or Dosa: Sambar, a lentil and vegetable stew, is common across South India and often accompanies idli (steamed rice cakes) or dosa (a fermented rice and lentil crepe).
- Kadala Curry: Kerala’s traditional kadala curry, made from black chickpeas, usually pairs with puttu, a steamed rice flour and coconut cake, for breakfast.
These dishes provide a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, which makes them a great way to start the day. Additionally,
Sri Lankan Breakfast Curries
Sri Lanka shares similarities with South Indian cuisine but also offers its distinct flavors. For breakfast, curries often use fresh coconut milk, offering a creamy texture and a rich taste.
- Pol Sambol with Coconut Curry: Pol sambol, a spicy coconut relish, is commonly served with bread or rice flour hoppers along with a mild coconut-based curry.
- Fish Curry: Sri Lankans enjoy fish curry for breakfast, typically paired with string hoppers (steamed rice noodles).
The use of coconut milk enhances the flavor and therefore makes the dishes more suitable for the morning, as they are less spicy compared to lunch and dinner curries.
Japanese Breakfast Curries
Japan is well known for its kare raisu (curry rice), a thick, mildly spiced curry served over rice. While people more commonly enjoy curry for lunch or dinner, they also eat it as a breakfast dish, particularly during weekends or special family breakfasts.
- Japanese Curry Rice: This curry is sweeter and milder compared to Indian curries, and it contains ingredients like carrots, potatoes, onions, and beef or chicken. Sometimes, it is served with a fried egg on top, making it an ideal breakfast option.
Japanese breakfast curry is often prepared in a lighter version, with a lower spice level, in order to suit the morning palate.
Thai Breakfast Curries
Thailand also has a rich tradition of incorporating curries into breakfast. Thai curries are known for their perfect balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors.
- Khao Gaeng (Curry with Rice): Many Thai people start their day with khao gaeng, which simply means curry with rice. A mild curry with vegetables and either chicken or tofu is commonly served for breakfast.
- Massaman Curry: This mildly spiced curry made with coconut milk, peanuts, and chicken or tofu is sometimes enjoyed for breakfast along with jasmine rice.
Thai breakfast curries are usually lighter than the dinner versions, making them perfect for the morning.
African Breakfast Curries
In several African countries, curries are commonly eaten for breakfast, particularly in East Africa, where Indian influences are strong.
- Maharagwe (Kenyan Bean Curry): This bean curry is popular in Kenya, often served with chapati or mandazi (a type of fried dough) for breakfast. It is a mildly spiced dish cooked in coconut milk.
- Egg Curry: In Tanzania, people enjoy egg curry for breakfast, served with ugali or chapati. The curry is mildly spiced and very flavorful, making it an energizing start to the day.
Middle Eastern Breakfast Curries
In some Middle Eastern countries, breakfast curries are a lesser-known but cherished option, combining spices and local ingredients to create rich and comforting dishes.
- Shakshuka with Curry Spices: Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs in a spiced tomato sauce. Adding curry spices transforms it into a breakfast curry with a Middle Eastern twist, often served with pita bread.
- Foul Medames with Curry Twist: Foul medames is a traditional fava bean dish, but adding mild curry spices gives it a unique flavor. This dish is often served with fresh vegetables and flatbread for breakfast.
Benefits of Eating Curries for Breakfast
Eating curry for breakfast might sound unusual to some, but, in fact, it provides several nutritional and health benefits. Here are some reasons why having curry for breakfast is a great idea:
- High in Nutrients: Breakfast curries typically include a combination of vegetables, legumes, and sometimes meat or eggs. This combination provides proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it a balanced meal.
- Long-Lasting Energy: The complex carbohydrates in curries provide a sustained energy release, helping you feel full for longer periods.
- Rich in Spices: Spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander have anti-inflammatory properties and help with digestion. Including them in your morning meal can have long-term health benefits.
- Versatile and Flavorful: Curries can be made with a wide range of ingredients, and they can be tailored to suit individual preferences. Whether you like it spicy or mild, there is always a version of breakfast curry that can work for you.
- Boosts Metabolism: Many spices used in curries, such as cayenne pepper and turmeric, have metabolism-boosting properties that help burn calories more effectively throughout the day.
- Improves Mood and Well-being: Curries made with ingredients like turmeric, which contains curcumin, provide mood-enhancing effects. Curcumin helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, making a curry a good choice for starting the day with improved mental well-being.
- Aids in Detoxification: Some ingredients in breakfast curries, like garlic and ginger, help the body detoxify by promoting the elimination of toxins and supporting liver health.
For more on the benefits of starting your day with a savory meal, read this article.
How to Make Breakfast-Friendly Curries
When making a breakfast curry, it is important to consider the balance of flavors and the level of spice, so that it is suitable for the morning. Here are some tips to make a breakfast-friendly curry:
- Use Mild Spices: To make the curry suitable for breakfast, use milder spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Avoid heavy use of chilies.
- Incorporate Vegetables: Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach work well in breakfast curries, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
- Include Protein: Use ingredients like eggs, lentils, chickpeas, or lean meats for protein to make the dish filling.
- Add Coconut Milk: Using coconut milk as a base gives the curry a creamy texture and mild flavor, making it a comforting breakfast option.
- Serve with Light Bread or Rice: Serve the curry with light bread such as naan, chapati, or steamed rice to keep the meal easily digestible.
- Keep it Balanced: To make the curry more balanced, include a variety of vegetables, some protein, and a small amount of healthy fat. Adding leafy greens like spinach or kale can enhance the nutrient profile of the dish.
- Fresh Herbs for Flavor: Fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint can add a burst of flavor and freshness to your breakfast curry. They are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
Example Breakfast Curry Recipe: Chickpea Spinach Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions and garlic until soft.
- Add cumin, turmeric, coriander, and paprika (if using), and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the chickpeas, spinach, and coconut milk. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm with chapati or steamed rice.
Breakfast Curry Recipes from Around the World
Indian Aloo Curry with Poori
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden.
- Add turmeric, coriander, and chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are soft.
- Add the boiled potatoes, mix well, and cook for a few more minutes.
- Season with salt and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with poori (deep-fried bread).
Sri Lankan Fish Curry with String Hoppers
Ingredients:
- 500g white fish fillets, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt to taste
- Fresh curry leaves
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves. Let them splutter.
- Add the sliced onion and garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the turmeric, followed by the fish pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the coconut milk and let it simmer until the fish is cooked through.
- Add lime juice and salt to taste. Serve hot with string hoppers.
Japanese Breakfast Curry Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 200g chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice
Instructions:
- In a pot, melt butter and sauté the onion until soft.
- Add the carrot, potatoes, and chicken. Cook until the chicken is browned.
- Sprinkle curry powder and flour over the mixture, and stir well.
- Pour in chicken broth, soy sauce, and honey. Bring to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve over a bowl of cooked rice, topped with a fried egg if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do people eat curry for breakfast?
Yes, many people around the world eat curry for breakfast. In countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan, curry is often consumed as a morning meal. Breakfast curries are typically milder and lighter compared to lunch or dinner curries, making them a suitable choice for starting the day. Is it normal to eat curry for breakfast? Find out here.
Which Indian food is best for breakfast?
Some of the best Indian foods for breakfast include sambar with idli or dosa, chole bhature, aloo curry with poori, and kadala curry. These dishes are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients to provide energy throughout the day.
Do Japanese eat curry for breakfast?
Yes, the Japanese sometimes eat curry for breakfast. Kare raisu, or curry rice, is occasionally enjoyed in the morning, particularly during weekends or special family gatherings. The Japanese breakfast curry is typically milder, with ingredients like carrots, potatoes, and a protein, often served with rice and sometimes a fried egg.
What are traditional curries?
Traditional curries vary from region to region but generally consist of a blend of spices, herbs, and either vegetables, meat, or legumes. Traditional breakfast curries are lighter versions of these, made with ingredients that are suitable for a morning meal, such as coconut milk, mild spices, and plenty of vegetables.
Conclusion
What curries are eaten for breakfast? The answer is varied and fascinating. From India’s sambar to Japan’s kare raisu, curries are a popular breakfast option in many cultures. These dishes are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients that provide long-lasting energy and numerous health benefits. Breakfast curries bring warmth, comfort, and a burst of flavor to the morning routine, and they are worth trying if you haven’t yet explored this rich culinary tradition. If you haven’t yet tried curry for breakfast, now is the perfect time to explore these flavorful dishes.