Brunch in its modern form originated as an elite urban meal in the late nineteenth-century Anglo-American world, but has since spread internationally, adapting to local customs and cuisines. Several pre-existing traditions also exist, including Cantonese
yum cha, and are often discussed alongside it. is popular in Chinese restaurants worldwide. It consists of a variety of stuffed
buns,
dumplings, and other savory or sweet foods that have been steamed, deep-fried, or baked. Customers select small portions from passing carts, In Quebec, the word—when
francized—is pronounced . The common pronunciation in France is .
Italian In Italian, the English loanword 'brunch' is generally used, though the neologism/calque is increasingly popular, being derived from (breakfast) and (lunch). Even less common but occasionally used are and , both derived from the same sources. The usage of these terms varies in Italy, as different regions have different cultural definitions of mealtimes and their names. Traditional usage, particularly in northern Italy, included calling the first meal of the day (first ), and the second meal either or (second ), as distinguished from , the evening meal (now generally used as the term for the midday meal). In this scheme, a separate term for 'brunch' would not be necessary, as could be used as a general term for any meal taken in the morning or early afternoon. Although Italian meal terminologies have generally shifted since widespread use of this naming scheme, the concept of a distinct mid-morning meal combining features of breakfast and lunch is largely one imported from the UK and North America in the last century, so the Anglicism 'brunch' is predominant.
Canada The
Ontario area now known as
Leslieville neighbourhood is sometimes called the brunch capital of
Toronto, as many renowned establishments serve brunch there. Brunch buffets also exist in other parts of Southern Ontario, including Kitchener-Waterloo. In Canada, brunch is served in private homes and in restaurants. In both cases, brunch typically consists of the same dishes as would be standard in an American brunch, namely, coffee, tea,
fruit juices, breakfast foods, including
pancakes,
waffles, and
french toast; meats such as ham, bacon, and sausages; egg dishes such as scrambled eggs,
omelettes, and
eggs Benedict; bread products, such as toast,
bagels or
croissants; pastries or cakes, such as
cinnamon rolls and
coffee cake; and fresh cut fruit or
fruit salad. Brunches may also include foods not typically associated with breakfast, such as
roasted meats,
quiche, soup,
smoked salmon, sandwiches, and salads, such as
Cobb salad. When served at home or in a restaurant, a brunch may be offered
buffet style, in which trays of foods and beverages are available and guests may serve themselves and select the items they want, often in an "all-you-can-eat" fashion. Restaurant brunches may also be served from a menu, in which case guests select specific items that are served by waitstaff. Restaurant brunch meals range from relatively inexpensive brunches available at
diners and
family restaurants to expensive brunches served at high-end restaurants and bistros.
Philippines Brunch in the Philippines is served between 9:00 am and noon. Contrary to what is observed in other countries, brunch in the afternoon, between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, is called
merienda, a traditional snack carried over from Spanish colonialism. ==Gallery==