6 School Lunch Ideas From Around the World

Lunches from around the world!

Editor’s note: This article was sponsored by Flyhomes. 

When you look at what schoolchildren eat for lunch in other parts of the world, a typical American school lunch begins to look a little, well, boring. In fact, these global lunches look better than the majority of meals we eat on a daily basis. 

To feed that hunger for unique, fun foods that will keep students munching away, we rounded up the coolest international lunchbox ideas we could find. Don’t worry about complex, multi-step recipes; although these meals are packed full of taste, they’re easy to prepare. For more detailed recipe instructions, visit the listed blogs. 

• Vietnamese banh mi wrap
• Mexican mini taco hand pies
• Indian chana masala
• Mini French picnic bento
• Japanese curry chicken sandwich
• Swedish lunchbox meal

Vietnam

Vietnam is a country known for delicious entrées; a few are even easy enough to prepare that they can be tucked into a school lunch. This banh mi wrap from Fuss Free Cooking takes all the delicious flavors of that iconic sandwich and wraps them up for lunchtime.

Place spicy grilled chicken in a wrap with a rainbow salad mix of pea shoots, red chiles (optional), onion, shredded cabbage, shredded broccoli, shredded carrots, lime slices and a handful of coriander. Roll it all up and slice into easy-to-hold portions. Your kids will munch it right up.

Mexico

Lemons for Lulu takes a Mexican classic and makes it even better. This spin on the beloved taco — mini hand pies — is a perfect lunchbox item; it’s even freezable!

Cut refrigerated pie dough into circles and add cooked ground beef, taco seasoning, black beans and cheddar cheese between two pieces of the dough. Then bake the mini taco hand pies for 15 minutes. This fun dish will have your kids clamoring for more. For an even simpler recipe, ditch the pie crust and use tortillas instead. Add guacamole and/or salsa for extra kick.

India

This recipe for chana masala from Yummily Yours is so simple, you could even make it in the morning before school. All you need is 30 minutes — half of which is cooking time — and soon you’ll have a lunchbox meal that’s the envy of the whole class. Plus, it’s mild enough to entice even the more spice-averse.

You’ll need a can of chickpeas along with cinnamon, cumin, paprika and garam masala (all can be found at your local grocery). Mix the chickpeas and spices with sautéed onions, ginger-garlic paste, chopped onions and chopped tomatoes. Add some rice and naan or a spoonful of yogurt.

France

A French picnic lunch, like this one from Bento Zen, is sure to delight! Simply pack a turkey-and-ham pocket sandwich. Then, add some blueberries, Brie, cornichons (i.e., gherkins) and a few fresh veggies to achieve that French foodie flair. For a hungrier eater, toss in a French-style yogurt.

Japan

The Japanese are masters of bento, which has inspired many a parent. Bloggers such as La Fuji Mama and Little Japan Mama have some fantastic posts on traditional Japanese bento lunches. For beginners, try this recipe from Bento Monsters. Basically, these are sandwich rolls made with flattened sandwich bread and filled with chicken curry. Note how the sandwich rolls are dressed up with fun faces, accompanied by a few traditional bento touches.

Sweden

Me and My Shadow embraced the Euro lunch with a week of European-inspired lunches, showcasing dishes from Spain, Italy and other nations. One favorite: Sweden.

Parents will love this inspired lunchbox meal for its incredible ease. Everything included is easy to find at your local grocery store, and often premade: rye bread, cheese, cucumber and orange slices, a hard-boiled egg and smoked salmon. Also included: some homemade ginger biscuits (which you could easily swap out with store-bought gingersnaps). Swedish flag topper not included.
 

Editor’s note: This article was originally published a few years ago and has been updated for December 2021.