Sometimes attending college doesn’t give you the luxury of preparing a three-course meal for every lunch. Leaving home often means you lose the luxury of a home-cooked meal provided by loved ones. There’s always the classic to-go lunch that you can stuff into your bag and scarf down in between classes: a sandwich! Sandwiches are the classic American lunches that parents will send their kids to school. However, not all cultures adore ham and cheese sandwiches. 

Here’s a list of easy lunches from around the world. These different dishes could inspire you for your next school lunch!

Spam Musubi: Hawaii 

Although Hawaii is in the United States, it has its cultural foods that vary from the mainland. Spam musubi is a staple that also makes for a quick and easy bite. It consists of white rice and a slice of spam, all rolled up in seaweed for a deliciously savory taste. They’re compact, so it’s easy to stash away on the go. They also don’t take long to make if you want to try this for your next meal!  

Kimbap: Korea 

Kimbap is a quick lunch that’s easy to make and eat! It consists of rice with a variety of meats and vegetables. Generally, the fillings consist of leftovers from the fridge, so every kimbap looks different. The final results is a long cylinder you can dig right into or cut into smaller pieces. Since you wrap up all the fillings into a compressed seaweed roll, it’s the perfect mess-free lunch. 

Empanadas: Argentina

Empanadas are popular treats all across Latin America and Europe. These yummy pastries are stuffed with filling neatly wrapped up in dough. These dishes come with different fillings from veggies to meats. Parents often pack empanadas with a side for their kids in Argentina.   

Onigiri: Japan 

Onigiris are rice balls filled with fish, meats or veggies then all wrapped up in seaweed. Although they sound similar to kimbap from Korea, onigiris contain more rice and are usually in a circular or triangular shape. You’re certain to have a great lunch break with this meal!

Gyros: Greece

Gyros are popular street foods from Greece. They are the perfect convenient meal to eat while on the run. They consist of soft pita bread filled with sliced vegetables such as tomatoes or onions and a choice of meat. Sometimes, fries are included!  

Bánh mì: Vietnam

Bánh mì’s are an excellent staple food because these delicious sandwiches get the best of both worlds. They’re crisp yet airy baguette with a burst of Vietnamese flavors. The baguette is toasted and smeared with delicious sauces, pickled veggies and a protein of choice (pork belly, ham or tofu)! These sandwiches are always incredibly well seasoned and satisfying to eat on the go!

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed these quick and easy lunches worldwide. These could inspire your lunches if you decide to switch it up too! Say goodbye to your ham and cheese sandwiches!