Do most Chinese people start their day with coffee?

For most Chinese people, coffee is not the traditional choice to begin the morning. While its popularity has been growing in recent years, particularly in metropolitan areas, it hasn’t replaced the more customary breakfast drinks that have long been part of Chinese daily life.

Yes—among urban Chinese, especially in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, drinking coffee in the morning has become more widespread, particularly among young professionals. In contrast, many Chinese people living in rural areas still prefer traditional drinks such as warm soy milk or millet porridge. It’s not that they cannot afford coffee, but rather that coffee remains unfamiliar in daily routines and tastes less aligned with their longstanding dietary habits.

How do different age groups of Chinese people approach morning beverages?

Younger Chinese—especially those influenced by global culture and modern workplace lifestyles—are more inclined to drink coffee in the morning as a source of energy. Older Chinese, on the other hand, tend to favor warm, soothing drinks like soy milk or rice porridge, which are believed to be easier on the stomach and more in line with traditional Chinese medicine’s emphasis on internal balance.

What do Chinese people usually drink in the morning?

Across most regions of China, typical morning drinks include soy milk, dairy milk, or various kinds of warm porridge. These are usually paired with simple, comforting foods like steamed buns, youtiao (fried dough sticks), or boiled eggs. These options are considered nourishing, gentle, and suitable for starting the day.

Tea is not a universal breakfast beverage in China. While some Chinese people—particularly in Guangdong and Fujian—enjoy “morning tea” as part of the traditional dim sum experience, most Chinese families do not drink tea during breakfast. Instead, tea is often reserved for later in the day, either after meals or as a social beverage.