Around the World in 8 Pancakes: Traditions Worth Experiencing
Pancake Day is here, if you’re a pancake fan (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), this is the perfect time to take your taste buds on an adventure. Around the world, pancakes come in all shapes, sizes, and flavours, with each country adding its own unique traditions.
As we celebrate Pancake Day, let’s take a journey and explore the delicious ways different cultures enjoy this classic treat. Whether you’re a pancake lover or simply enjoy a good treat, these 8 pancakes will surely make your taste buds happy.
1. France – Crêpes
In France, pancakes are an art form, especially when it comes to crêpes. These thin, delicate pancakes are often filled with sweet or savoury fillings. Popular sweet fillings include Nutella, sugar, lemon, or strawberries, while savoury crêpes might include cheese, ham, or even eggs.
Crêpes are so important in French culture that they even have their own holiday, La Chandeleur (Candlemas), celebrated 40 days after Christmas. The tradition says that if you flip a crêpe in one hand while holding a coin in the other, you’ll have good luck for the year. Time to start practising those flipping skills!
2. Netherlands – Poffertjes
In the Netherlands, Poffertjes are small, fluffy, and round pancakes. These bite-sized pancakes are made with yeast and buckwheat flour, giving them a light and airy texture.
Traditionally served with butter and powdered sugar, poffertjes are popular at street markets and festivals, making them a fun treat to enjoy with friends and family. Dutch families even have special poffertjes pans designed to cook them evenly. Unlike regular pancakes, poffertjes are flipped using a fork instead of a spatula.
3. United Kingdom – The Classic Pancake
In the UK, Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) is all about the classic thin pancake, usually served with a variety of toppings including lemon and sugar, drizzled with golden syrup or even paired with bacon and eggs. This tradition has been around for centuries and originally started as a way to use up eggs, milk and sugar before Lent.
But the fun doesn’t stop at eating – it’s also a day for pancake races. In addition, one of the most famous is the Olney Pancake Race, which has been held since 1445, where contestants run while flipping pancakes in a frying pan. Now that’s multitasking.
4. Russia – Blini
In Russia, Blini are thin pancakes that hold great cultural significance. They are traditionally eaten during Maslenitsa, a festival marking the end of winter and welcoming spring. Blini are served with a variety of toppings, including sour cream, caviar, jam, and smoked salmon. During Maslenitsa, families and friends come together for the year to enjoy stacks of blini while celebrating with music, dancing and sledding.
The round shape of the Blini is said to represent the sun, and eating them is thought to bring warmth and good fortune for the coming year. Whether sweet or savoury, Blini are a must-try if you ever find yourself in Russia during the festival.
5. Vietnam – Banh Xeo
Vietnam’s take on the pancake is completely different. Bánh Xèo are savoury pancakes filled with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. They are a popular street food in Vietnam, particularly in the south. These crispy, golden pancakes are often served with fresh lettuce and herbs, which are wrapped around the pancake and dipped into a tangy fish sauce. The name means ‘sizzling pancake’, because of the sound it makes while cooking.
But here’s the fun part – you don’t eat it with a fork. Instead, you wrap pieces of the pancake in lettuce or rice paper, dip it in fish sauce, and eat it with your hands. It’s a messy but delicious experience.
7. Venezuela – Cachapas
In Venezuela, pancakes are made with corn. Cachapas are thick, golden pancakes made from fresh corn batter, giving them a slightly sweet taste. Unlike most pancakes, cachapas are typically folded in half and stuffed with queso de mano, a soft, gooey cheese that melts inside.
These pancakes are a popular street food and are often sold at roadside stalls called areperas. While they can be eaten plain, they are often served with extras like ham, fried pork (chicharrón), or butter to make them even richer. With their sweet and savoury combination, cachapas are a true taste of Venezuelan comfort food, often enjoyed by families and friends as part of their lively street food culture.
7. Japan – Okonomiyaki
Japan takes pancakes to a whole new level. Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake packed with shredded cabbage, eggs and meats like pork belly or seafood. Okonomiyaki means “grilled as you like it”, and in some Japanese restaurants, you cook it yourself at the table.
It is a popular street food, especially in Osaka, and is considered a comfort food enjoyed by many. You simply mix the ingredients, pour the batter onto a hot griddle, and flip it to perfection. It’s both a meal and an experience!
8. United States – Classic American Pancakes
In the USA, pancakes are thick and fluffy, often served in stacks with butter and maple syrup. They are a classic breakfast food, popular in diners and at weekend brunches.
A favourite way to enjoy them is with crispy bacon on the side or even on top, combining sweet and salty flavours. Some American families also have a fun Shrove Tuesday tradition of hiding small objects like coins or buttons in the batter, each symbolising a different fortune for the year ahead.
One of the best places for maple syrup is Vermont, a state famous for its maple syrup and said to have more maple trees than people. With its rich, golden syrup, it’s no surprise Vermont is known for making some of the best pancake toppings.
So, if you’re planning your next travel adventure, why not add a little extra fun by exploring the pancake traditions of different countries? Or, if you’re staying home this Pancake Day, why not recreate one of these international pancakes? Who knows, you might just discover a new favourite.
