16 Classic Chinese Breakfasts
Introduction
Chinese breakfasts are an enticing journey through diverse flavors, textures, and traditions. Whether you’re looking for something warming and savory or light and sweet, these classics cater to every palate and make the start of the day uniquely memorable. Prepare to discover 16 classic Chinese breakfasts, each offering a delicious taste of regional cuisine and centuries-old food culture.
Why Try Chinese Breakfasts?
Making Chinese breakfast at home is a rewarding way to experience authentic flavors, save time in the morning, and enjoy nutritious, varied dishes. From piping hot congee to savory pancakes, these satisfying options are perfect for both leisurely brunches and quick, nourishing weekday starts. Each breakfast brings together balanced flavors and textures and is often easy to batch-cook or prepare in advance.
16 Classic Chinese Breakfasts
1. **Congee (Rice Porridge / 粥 Zhōu)**
Creamy and comforting, congee is the backbone of Chinese breakfasts. It’s versatile—enjoy it plain or topped with green onions, pickled vegetables, century egg, or shredded chicken.
2. **You Tiao (Deep-Fried Dough Sticks / 油条)**
Crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside, these golden sticks are often served with warm soy milk for dipping.
3. **Dou Jiang (Soy Milk / 豆浆)**
Served sweet or savory, piping hot or ice cold, soy milk is a breakfast staple. Pair it with buns, pancakes, or You Tiao.
4. **Jian Bing (Savory Chinese Crepes / 煎饼)**
A street food favorite, jian bing is a thin, crispy crepe slathered with umami sauces, scallions, cilantro, eggs, and crunchy crisps.
5. **Baozi (Steamed Buns / 包子)**
These soft, fluffy buns are stuffed with fillings like pork, beef, vegetables, or sweet red bean paste. They’re portable and satisfying.
6. **Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings / 小笼包)**
Thin-skinned dumplings filled with juicy pork and broth—these are Shanghai’s breakfast specialty.
7. **Egg Pancake Roll (鸡蛋灌饼 Jī Dàn Guàn Bǐng)**
Layers of flaky dough and egg, fried to crisp perfection and rolled with savory fillings.
8. **Shao Bing (Sesame Flatbread / 烧饼)**
Flaky, toasty rounds or ovals with a hearty sesame flavor—delicious alone or stuffed with meat or vegetables.
9. **Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼 Cōng Yóu Bǐng)**
Crispy and chewy, layered with fragrant green onions, these pancakes are irresistible when hot off the pan.
10. **Dumplings (煎饺 Jiān Jiǎo)**
Pan-fried dumplings with juicy pork, shrimp, or vegetable fillings make for a hearty morning meal.
11. **Rice Rolls (肠粉 Cháng Fěn)**
Silky rice noodle rolls filled with shrimp, beef, or vegetables, and doused with sweet soy sauce—a Cantonese dim sum favorite.
12. **Sticky Rice Roll (粢饭团 Cī Fàn Tuán)**
Glutinous rice packed with pickled vegetables, fried dough, pork floss, or egg—perfect for breakfast on the go.
13. **Tea Eggs (茶叶蛋 Chá Yè Dàn)**
Eggs slowly simmered in tea, soy sauce, and spices until marbled and deeply flavorful.
14. **Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Balls / 汤圆)**
Soft glutinous rice balls filled with black sesame or peanut paste, served in a light sweet broth.
15. **Millet Porridge (小米粥 Xiǎo Mǐ Zhōu)**
A simple, nutty, and easily digestible option—often paired with pickles or eggs.
16. **Lotus Leaf Rice (荷叶饭 Hé Yè Fàn)**
Sticky rice steamed with pork, mushrooms, and other savory fillings, wrapped in a fragrant lotus leaf.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.
How to Prepare a Classic Chinese Breakfast (Congee Example)
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until water runs clear.
- Add rice and 7 cups of water or chicken broth to a large pot. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and creamy (about 45–60 minutes). If it gets too thick, add water as needed.
- Season with salt to taste. Serve hot and top with your choice of sliced green onions, pickled vegetables, shredded chicken, boiled egg, soy sauce, or century egg.
- Serve with You Tiao (if using) and a glass of warm soy milk or tea eggs for a complete experience.
Weekly Meal Planning
These Chinese breakfasts are perfect for batch cooking and prepping ahead. Save and schedule these recipes to plan your breakfasts throughout the week and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate all ingredients from every selected meal.
Planning Benefits:
– Calculates total ingredient quantities for all planned breakfasts
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section
– Eliminates duplicate purchases and forgotten items
– Makes breakfast meal prep efficient and effortless
Pro Tip: When planning multiple Chinese breakfasts (e.g., congee and sticky rice rolls), schedule your recipes—CookifyAI will calculate exactly how much rice, eggs, or other staples you need for the full week, reducing both overbuying and food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10–20 minutes (per recipe)
Cook Time: 10–60 minutes (varies by dish)
Total Time: 15–75 minutes (depending on the breakfast)
By exploring these 16 classic Chinese breakfasts, you’ll bring variety, comfort, and authentic flavor to your morning routine—and with simple meal planning, you’ll streamline your shopping and kitchen time, too.