What The World Eats For Lunch

When workers and children around the world sit down to eat lunch, many open a lunchbox and dig in with chopsticks, forks and knives, a spoon, or their hands. Others reach for quick and easy meals on the go.

See What the World Eats for Lunch Slideshow

While lunchtime has traditionally been a leisurely affair in many parts of the world, more and more people are not sitting down for a lengthy midday meal on a regular basis. Instead, many have turned to fast food and instant lunches, though there are still pockets of the world where eating a home-cooked meal, whether packed and eaten at work or consumed at home, is still a time-honored tradition.

The Daily Meal has eaten its fair share of lunches at restaurants, storefronts, train stations, airports, and homes around the world.

From elaborate edible art carefully placed in colorful, plastic bento boxes in Japan to a comforting bowl of fiery ema datshi in Bhutan to crispy fish and chips in the U.K., these lunches from around the world are sure to inspire noontime lunch cravings.

Check out these lunches from around the world (along with recipes to inspire your next packed lunch) and then tell us in the comments section what you like to pack for lunch. Re-pin your favorite packed lunches on The Daily Meal's Travel Pinterest board.

Lauren Mack is the Travel Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @lmack.