5 Amazing International Dishes to Wake Up Your Breakfast Meetings

Early breakfast meetings (catered or not) are not a favorite of most employees. Getting less sleep, disrupting a normal routine, perhaps drinking too much coffee – not exactly the ideal way to start a productive day. But, sometimes they’re unavoidable: a decision has to be made, a deadline needs to be met, and first thing in the morning is the only time to get it done (usually, before the clients come in!).

And that’s where the actual breakfast part of the equation becomes crucial. If you’re asking your team to come in early, a little thought and creativity in the menu planning can go a long way. Make it worth their while to get out of bed an hour earlier: replace that boring plate of blueberry muffins or the box of sugary donuts (which are like little ticking time bombs of blood sugar crashes) with one of these amazing, global-inspired dishes. Having an interesting breakfast to look forward to makes it a little easier to get out of bed — and lets your employees know you appreciate their extra efforts!

Kaya toast 

Restaurant industry insiders predict that Asian-inspired breakfast dishes are one of the next big food trends — and the Singaporean breakfast staple, kaya toast, is just one delicious example. Never heard of kaya toast? It’s essentially toast slathered with kaya jam, a concoction of coconut, sugar, and eggs flavored with pandan, a fragrant leaf that adds a nutty note to the jam. Kaya toast is often served with soft-boiled eggs, so you’ll even get a little protein along with the sticky-sweet kaya jam.

Migas

If you think huevos rancheros are the only Mexican contribution to the most important meal of the day, then you really need to serve migas at your next breakfast meeting. There are a few different versions throughout the Spanish-speaking world, but we’re most fond of the Tex-Mex take on migas: eggs scrambled up with scraps of corn tortillas, onions, spicy green chiles, and juicy tomatoes. Oh, and cheese, of course, and usually topped with salsa or paired with refried beans. 

Pierogi

There are almost as many ways to spell pierogi as there are to eat them! These stuffed, pan-fried dumplings are a classic dish in Poland, and in parts of the U.S. rich in Polish heritage, like Ohio and Pennsylvania. Potatoes, cheese, and caramelized onions are the standard pierogi fillings, but you could add scrambled eggs and bacon for more familiar breakfast flavor — or go for a sweet option with berries and powdered sugar. Really, it’s hard to go wrong with pierogi – but if you choose savory, make sure there’s a dollop of sour cream on top!

Kimchi omelette

Another Asian-inspired import, this twist on a breakfast classic takes a page from Korean cuisine: kimchi. The fermented cabbage, used as a condiment in many Korean dishes, is added to an otherwise typical omelet. Along with the kimchi comes a savory kick of flavor and a little crunch that you don’t usually find at the breakfast table without dousing your meal in hot sauce.

Frühstück

OK, frühstück is actually just the German word for breakfast, but there’s not really a better name for the classic spread: German breads and rolls served with honey and jam, with a few hunks of cheese and sliced cold meats alongside. A German breakfast may not be a lavish one, but it’s an unusual alternative to a traditional continental-style breakfast — and one that will still satisfy picky eaters who might raise an eyebrow at eating kimchi for breakfast!  

These dishes may be a little harder to find than the typical bagels and donuts, but it’s well worth putting a little extra planning into your morning menus! Serving unexpected dishes makes breakfast meetings more of a treat and less of a chore — so start browsing the menus from Waiter.com to find the perfect fare for your next early morning engagement!