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 explore pancake day traditions worldwide. 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
France treats pancakes as an art form, especially 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 very important in French culture. France even celebrates a dedicated holiday, La Chandeleur (Candlemas), 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. Bakers make these bite-sized pancakes 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. People have followed this tradition for centuries, originally starting it 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, Russians view blini as thin pancakes with great cultural significance. They are traditionally eaten during Maslenitsa, a festival marking the end of winter and welcoming spring. People serve blini 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. People fill Bánh Xèo with savoury ingredients like shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. They are a popular street food in Vietnam, particularly in the south. These crispy, golden pancakes come with fresh lettuce and herbs. You wrap them around the pancake and dip it in 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. Vendors make cachapas as thick, golden pancakes using 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. People make okonomiyaki as 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, Americans enjoy thick, fluffy pancakes in stacks with butter and maple syrup. Diners across the USA serve it as a classic breakfast food 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.
