Wednesday, September 03, 2025

What do you like as breakfast in your country?

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I start work at 9, so I make sure to have my breakfast before then, because experience has taught me that when I don’t, my stomach will be lodging complaints in a very raucous manner by 9.30.

On workdays, I don’t feel like using my time in the morning to prepare breakfast at home, so I usually head on out and spend anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes at some food establishment that serves breakfast on the way to work or just somewhere within walking distance of the studio.

For those 30 to 45 minutes, I’ll just sit there, without looking down at my phone, and just slowly enjoy my breakfast. Just a spot of me-time before I head on off to work.

There will be times, like say when I have an early conference call in the morning, when I’ll have to be at the studio before 9. When that happens, I’ll just order food delivery, so that I can enjoy my breakfast after the call. There are a handful of quiet spots around the studio, specially designated cozy little nooks and crannies that are placed there for the express purpose of giving us the opportunity to enjoy the occasional breather, whether it is for taking a private call, doing some light reading, enjoying a couple minutes’ of shut-eye, and yes, even eating our snacks or meals.

My breakfasts usually costs between 5 to 20 yuan (between 0.70 to 2.75 USD); I live and work in Chengdu.

Here are some of my breakfasts on workdays, whether I take it at a food establishment or have it delivered to the studio:


鲜虾蟹籽云吞 (xiān xiā xiè zǐ yún tūn)
Fresh shrimp and crab roe wontons


From top left to bottom:

空心菜 (kōngxīncài)
Water Spinach

地瓜叶 (dìguā yè)
Sweet Potato Leaves

地瓜粥 (dìguā zhōu)
Sweet Potato Rice Porridge


桂花赤豆糊 (guìhuā chì dòu hú)
Osmanthus Red Bean Porridge

There are some 小圆子 (xiǎo yuánzǐ), glutinous rice balls, in the porridge.


From top to bottom:

虾饺 (xiā jiǎo)
Shrimp Dumplings

清炒菜心 (qīng chǎocài xīn)
Stir-Fried Choy Sum


From top to bottom:

小肉包 (xiǎo ròu bāo)
Small Meat Bun

豆腐脑 (dòufu nǎo)
(Literally, Tofu Brains)
Savory Tofu Pudding

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