Around the world in... hand-held breakfasts

Holding your breakfast tightly never tasted so good.

Polish onion-filled ‘bagels’ (bialy) Source: Alan Benson

We've all done it. Grabbed an apple or a banana as we race out the door to catch the 7:18 am train. Or drop the kids at school. Or shop for groceries. Or hit the gym. Or any myriad of other things that seem to need our attention in the morning more than sitting down and eating breakfast.

It's a universal thing. If breakfast is anything to go by, the world has been rushing for a very long time. Some hand-held breakfasts date back generations, maybe even centuries. This is good news for us because once you dig into one of these on-the-go morning meals, you'll never be stuck with a boring old piece of fruit again.

Australia: Cheesy Vegemite scrolls

Why wait for the toaster when you can grab one of these fluffy friends instead? Source: Bonnie Savage

Like make-ahead Vegemite toast with added cheese and in scrumptious scroll form.

Japan: Sweetened egg roll (datemaki)

This festive Japanese egg roll is made especially for New Year and is cooked differently from the tamagoyaki egg roll served on sushi. The markings left on the outside of the datemaki are from the bamboo mat and consider yourself on a roll when eating this one. Now we want more egg-cellence!

Argentina: Medialunas

Stuff your medialuna with ham and cheese, or marmalade, or even vegemite. Anything goes. Source: Rachel Tolosa Paz

If these look suspiciously like croissants, you're not wrong. However, medialunas are smaller and less flaky than the French pastry, and are actually more like an Italian cornetti. Either way, they make an excellent breakfast on the move.

French: Crôque monsieur

Wrap a crôque monsieur in greaseproof paper and pretend you're commuting to Paris. Source: SBS Food

Ah, the ham and cheese toastie, French-style. The cream, Gruyère and Parmesan eggy topping just makes it next-level good.

Wales: Welsh rarebit

This dish combines cheddar and pale beer with a hit of Dijon mustard. Top it with a poached egg and it becomes a 'Welsh Buck'. Source: Alan Benson

Another excellent take on a classic cheese toastie, the Welsh version adds a hit of beer to really brighten up your morning.

Bosnia: Kifle

Traditionally shaped, these cheese kifle are dotted with butter before baking giving them a lovely tender, rich crumb that makes them completely irresistible. Source: Alan Benson

Bosnian mini-rolls are filled with whatever you fancy. Salted or cheese-filled are popular but you can find sausage versions, or for something a little sweeter, chocolate or jam-filled.

Vietnam: Bánh mì

Let's face it, a bánh mì is a delight at any meal. Source: China Squirrel

These pocket rockets hold their own come breakfast when all you want is porky goodness propped up with crunchy, sweet, vinegary pickles and a lick of mayo.

Nepal: Gwaramari

This is a famous breakfast dish typically served with chutney or milk tea. Source: SBS Food

Gwaramari literally means "a round bread" in Newari – a local language spoken by a community in Kathmandu Valley.

Greece: Mizithra keftedes

As Yiayia Next Door likes to say, "It’s good to eat something different, not always eggs." Source: Mark Roper

Ricotta balls are enjoyed at any time of the day, but they make an especially handy portable breakfast.

Venezuela: Arepas

In Venezuela, arepas often take the place of bread and are eaten throughout the entire day. Source: Alan Benson

Arepas can be topped with butter and your preferred spread and served with eggs or filled and eaten like a sandwich.

Lebanon: Sesame kaak

Kaak are that wonderful combination of crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside. Source: Alan Benson

Kaak is as common in Lebanon as bagels in NYC. Enjoy them plain, or top them with cheese, za'atar and baked eggs. A similar circular bread called simit is made in Turkey.

China: Pineapple buns

Pineapple buns, called bolo bao in Cantonese, are a popular sweet bakery treat that are easy to grab for breakfast. Source: One World Kitchen

While (sadly) the Chinese pineapple bun doesn't actually contain any pineapple, it does have a golden crunchy, crumbly crust that produces a unique pattern.

Denmark: Wienebrød

Danish pastries are possibly Denmark’s most well-recognized food specialty, even though it is Austria that should actually be credited for originally creating them. Source: Alan Benson

Known as wienebrød in Denmark and Danish pastries everywhere else, this is surely the sweetest way to start your day possible.

India: Pessarattu

These thin pancakes are similar to dosa but made with green mung beans instead of urad dal. Source: Andrew Dorn

A green mung bean pancake wrapped around some coconut chutney and onion feels like a solid way to start the day.

Scotland: Buttery rowie

At first glance, a rowie looks a bit like an unfortunate croissant that you find in the bottom of your bag. But it is when you taste a rowie that you learn about its appeal. Source: Murdoch Books / Regula Ysewijn

The rowie, which has the buttery richness of a croissant, but with extra heartiness, was traditionally eaten for breakfast by workers and fishermen.

Mexico: Quesadillas

Every taco stand in Mexico will sell quesadillas, most often eaten for breakfast or dinner. Source: Smith Street Books

Fast, filling and fabulous, quesadillas make the perfect hand-held breakfast for busy mornings. Fill them with whatever you have on hand, but don't forget the cheese.

Spanish: Tortilla

The tortilla is a healthy, delicious and cheap recipe to prepare. Source: Pablo Tordesillas

Grab a slab of this hearty potato-filled omelette on your way out the door and you'll be satisfied until... dinner.

Kenyan: Keema chapati

Keema chapati is often served in a breakfast banquet and topped with yoghurt or a sweet chutney. Source: SBS Food

If there's a nicer way to head out the door than with a spiced lamb-stuffed flatbread in your pocket, we'd like to hear about it.

Poland: Bialy

The 'Polish bagel' is completely addictive. Source: Alan Benson

The chewy Polish roll that's filled with cooked onion and poppy seeds makes an easy takeaway breakfast.

One more for the road: 'nana muffins

For variety in your morning muffin fix, mix this basic recipe up by adding strawberries, passionfruit or even some chocolate and nuts. Source: Savannah van der Niet

If you insist on grabbing a breakfast banana, make it a muffin. That way you can add some good grains and dairy into your first meal of the day.