From the bustling street corners of Brussels to the vibrant night markets of Hong Kong, the waffle is a global icon of comfort. While we often think of them as a simple breakfast staple, these golden, gridded treasures serve as a delicious map of cultural history. Whether they are deep pocketed and airy, yeast leavened and pearl sugar studded, or even shaped like bubbles and fish, the different types of waffles tell a story of local tradition and culinary evolution. Here’s for you to indulge in a journey across continents to explore the world’s most iconic waffle varieties.
The best of waffles from across the world
From street side stalls of Southeast Asia to the high end patisseries of Paris, the grid of the best waffles is a universal canvas for local flavour.
1. Brussels waffle (Belgium)
This is a waffle style that is considered as the standard version when it comes to Belgian waffles. A rectangular shaped, light, and crispy waffle variety, the Brussels waffle is prepared with a yeast leavened batter or egg whites for the lift. Traditionally served with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, this is one of the best waffles in terms of simplicity and taste.
2. Stroopwafel (Netherlands)
Among the different types of waffles that are native to the European subcontinent, stroopwafels are two thin, wafer-like spice cookies that are joined by a layer of gooey caramel syrup. This waffle variety is best enjoyed resting atop a steaming cup of coffee to soften the center.
3. Scandinavian heart waffles (Norway/Sweden)
Thinner and softer than their Belgian cousins, this waffle style is pressed into heart shapes and often topped with sour cream and lingonberry jam or brown cheese.
4. Liege waffle (Belgium)
Another waffle variety from Belgium, this one is a richer, denser, and more chewy treat made from brioche style dough. The secret of this waffle style is the pearl sugar, which caramelises on the iron to create a crunchy, and sweet coating.
5. Egg waffles/ Gai Dan Jai (Hong Kong)
Boasting of a distinct structural design, this is one of the best waffles you can try from Asia. recognisable by its bubble shape, this waffle variety is crispy on the outside and cakey on the inside. It is meant to be torn apart and eaten piece by piece.
6. Taiyaki (Japan)
While technically this waffle style is essentially a cake batter, taiyaki are fish shaped treats that are cooked in a waffle-like iron. They are traditionally stuffed with sweetened red bean paste, custard, or chocolate.
7. Pandan waffles (Vietnam)
One of the different types of waffles from Southeast Asia, pandan waffles are bright green coloured, thanks to the pandan extract and flavoured coconut milk. This waffles style is fragrant, chewy, and usually eaten plain as a snack.
8. American breakfast waffles (North America)
Typically leavened with baking powder rather than yeast, American breakfast waffles are quick to prepare. They are the foundation for the iconic Chicken and Waffles, which is a soul food staple that perfectly balances sweet maple syrup with salty, fried protein.
9. Pizzelle (Italy)
These are the world’s oldest waffle relatives. Thin, crisp, and snowflake patterned wafers, pizzelle originates from the Abruzzo region. Traditionally flavoured with anise or vanilla, they are cooked in a shallow iron and often appear at Italian weddings and Christmas celebrations.
10. H Khanom Rang Phueng (Thailand)
Translating to ‘beehive cake’, these Thai coconut waffles are a popular street snack. They are thicker and softer than the European waffles, often incorporating corn, taro, or shredded coconut directly into the batter for a savory-sweet profile.
11. Gaufres Fourrees (France/Lille)
Unlike the airy Belgian waffle style, these northern French waffles are thin, oval, and stuffed. Once cooked, they are split open and filled with a creamy paste, which traditionally consists of vergeoise, that is a beet derived brown sugar, along with vanilla.
12. Croffle (South Korea)
Croffle is a modern global sensation born in Seoul. By cooking a buttery croissant in a waffle iron, you get the flaky layers of pastry with the deep, syrup trapping pockets of waffle. This waffle variety is the ultimate hybrid of texture.
Waffle rituals from around the globe
For the true culinary traveler, a waffle is more than a snack, it is a destination! Beyond the ingredients, the way that the different types of waffles are consumed tells a story of the local life and historical tradition.
1. The ‘coffee stopper’ ritual (The Netherlands)
In Delft, Amsterdam, eating a stroopwafel is a lesson in patience. Local tradition dictates placing the thin waffle over a steaming cup of tea or coffee. The rising steam melts the cinnamon-caramel filling just enough to make it gooey, while the wafer remains crisp. It is a moment of forced slowness on a busy day.
2. The midnight market hustle (Hong Kong)
The Gai Dan Jai is the ultimate walk-and-talk food. In the humid, neon-lit streets of Mong Kok, the sound of the waffle iron clicking shut is the soundtrack to the night. You will see locals holding the paper bags aloft, letting the steam escape so the bubbles don't lose their signature crunch. It is a sensory experience of heat, noise, and sweetness.
3. The Sunday morning social (Norway)
In Scandinavia, waffles represent kos, which is the Norwegian version of Hygge. Unlike the grab-and-go nature of other regions, the Heart Waffle is the centerpiece of a ‘Waffle Sunday’. It is a communal ritual where families gather to pass around jars of syltetoy or jam, and slices of salty brunost or brown cheese, proving that the waffles’ shape of a circle of connected hearts is no coincidence.