10 Foods You'll Find In A Balkan Breakfast & 10 You Definitely Won't
Looking To Spice Up Your Breakfast?
Have you ever wondered what breakfast in Bulgaria, Turkey, or any of the various regions of the former Yugoslavia might look like? You may have noticed a new viral trend touting the delectable simplicity of something known as the "Balkan breakfast." Even though modern eating habits are constantly changing, the traditional Balkan breakfast has stayed the same and is quite different from its North American and Western European counterparts. But what is it exactly? Let's take a closer look at what the Balkan breakfast is—and what it isn't!
Eating a REAL Balkan Breakfast • MukBang by Tommy Winkler
1. White Cheese
If you're having breakfast in the Balkans, you'll definitely spot white cheese on the table. It's like feta's cousin but a lot more tangy and salty. Plus, people love crumbling it over everything. Once you try spreading this on fresh bread, you might like it more than regular cheese.
2. Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are kind of a breakfast royalty here. You will find them whole or sliced up on pretty much every breakfast table. According to the locals, they are perfect for busy mornings (make them the night before) and keep you feeling full way past lunch.
3. Fresh Tomatoes
People say that nothing beats biting into a juicy, fresh tomato at breakfast time, and Balkan folks know it. Moreover, these aren't those sad, pale supermarket tomatoes. We're talking about bright red, locally grown beauties that taste like actual tomatoes should.
4. Cucumbers
Cool as a cucumber isn't just a saying. Cucumber makes us feel cooler, whether you splash cucumber water on your face or eat them raw in the morning. These crispy slices show up right alongside tomatoes and cheese, adding that perfect fresh crunch to your morning meal.
5. Bell Peppers
Fresh bell peppers bring the much-rejoiced crunch factor to breakfast. Locals say that this sweet, crisp bite is perfect for munching alongside cheese and bread. Moreover, bell peppers make the plate more colorful, healthy, and exotic—totally Instagram-worthy, if you ask a food influencer.
6. Ajvar
Ajvar, the red pepper relish, is a breakfast superstar across the Balkans. It’s usually made from roasted red peppers and sometimes eggplant, too. This is like the Balkan version of jam, except totally zingy. Locals spread it thickly on fresh bread or use it as a dip for vegetables.
7. Suhomesnato
These cured meats are like the Balkan answer to bacon, but they are way more diverse. You get different kinds, like the prosciutto-style pršut, and many other types of salamis. Suhomesnato is a protein-packed way to kick off the day in Balkan style.
8. Fresh, Local Bread
Traditional Balkan servings don't include just any bread. The local eateries prefer using warm, crusty loaves that they can grab from the nearest bakery every morning. Whether you're team Lepinja or team Somun, fresh bread is non-negotiable, and no, packaged bread from a supermarket is not an option.
9. Kifle
These crescent-shaped rolls are breakfast royalty in the Balkans. Fresh from local bakeries each morning, Kifle comes in both savory versions (sprinkled with salt or cheese) and lightly sweetened ones. They're perfectly crusty on the outside, pillowy-soft inside, and absolutely irresistible when still warm.
10. Kaymak
Think of the thickest, richest cream you've ever had, and now, make it even better. That's what kaymak is. This cream is basically breakfast gold, and once you try it on freshly prepared bread, you'll understand why the Balkans get so excited about it.
1. Maple Syrup
While maple syrup is loved by North Americans, you won't spot this sweet tree sap anywhere near a traditional Balkan breakfast table. Even modern urban cafes rarely serve it since the entire breakfast culture here centers around savory flavors rather than sweet toppings.
2. Peanut Butter
Only whole peanuts are found in some Balkan snacks and dishes. Peanut butter never caught on as a breakfast spread. Most locals are puzzled by the concept of a nutty, sticky spread first thing in the morning. The few jars you might spot in urban supermarkets don't really sell fast.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
3. Breakfast Cereals
In a region where fresh bread and produce reign supreme, the idea of boxed, processed grains for breakfast seems almost funny to older generations. Even kids typically start their day with more healthy ingredients. As a result, cereals are a rare sight on most Balkan breakfast tables.
4. Oats
Despite their ancient history in European cuisine, oats never made it to the morning meal. Balkan dishes were developed around Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, where grains are more likely to appear as bread than porridge. Modern health trends are slowly changing this, but traditionally? No chance.
5. Hash Browns
The Balkans have amazing potato dishes, like creamy mashed potatoes and perfectly roasted spuds. However, you won't find them at breakfast. The morning meal here is all about foods that don't require too much cooking. When potatoes do show up, they're part of hearty lunch or dinner dishes.
Fumikas Sagisavas on Wikimedia
6. Crispy Bacon
Yes, Balkan cuisine celebrates pork in many forms, but crispy bacon isn't one of them. The region's cured meats are usually air-dried, thinly sliced, and served at room temperature. The practice of frying up strips of bacon in the morning would seem like unnecessary extra work to most of those people.
7. Biscuits
The American-style breakfast biscuit would seem like a strange hybrid to Balkan bakers, who take pride in their crusty loaves and traditional flatbreads. The closest you might find is Pogača, but it's denser and less flaky than Southern biscuits and rarely served at breakfast.
8. Granola
In this region, breakfast has remained relatively unchanged for generations, and something like Granola can't change that. While health food stores in Belgrade or Zagreb might stock it, traditional households prefer their grains in bread form and their nuts as occasional snacks rather than breakfast.
9. Pancakes
The fluffy American-style pancake is virtually unknown in traditional households. When locals crave something special for breakfast, they're more likely to grab a Burek. A similar dish, Palacinke (thin crepes), is beloved throughout the Balkans as a dessert or afternoon snack.
10. Waffles
The waffle iron never made its way into traditional Balkan kitchens. Still, if you are roaming in the tourist areas of major cities, you might find some Belgian-style waffle stations. The deal is that waffles are viewed only as a novelty snack rather than a breakfast item.
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