Few people understand the true value of a good sack lunch like construction workers and electricians. When you spend your day lifting, wiring, climbing, or hammering away under the sweltering sun (or in freezing cold), food isn’t just “fuel.” It’s your battery pack, your mood booster, and sometimes your only peaceful moment of the day. Lunch breaks on a job site are sacred and can be a time to reset before the next round of heavy lifting. 

Every country has its version of the perfect laborer’s lunch, but they all share the same basic principles: simple, hearty, and efficient. Here’s a global tour of what fuels the hands that build our cities.

United States – Sandwiches/Wraps 

In the U.S., the job site lunch is all about practicality. According to a poll on Reddit, the majority of built-environment professionals prefer sandwiches and wraps because they are easy to handle and quick to make. Typically, the go-to is made with cheese, some kind of deli meat (turkey, ham, roast beef, etc) and lettuce/tomato. Some workers also say that peanut butter is their everyday lunch because it’s cheap.  

The second highest response on the poll was actually fast food. One Reddit user expressed that on most jobs, there’s a 711, Mcdonalds, or Taco Bell within walking distance.  

Japan – Bento Boxes 

Bento boxes are the standard lunch for nearly everyone in Japan. They provide a fully balanced meal, with compartments of rice, fish, pickled veggies, and soup. Some Japanese construction workers will also go for onigiri (rice balls wrapped in seaweed) for convenience, or instant ramen if there’s hot water available; both of which are staples at the ever-present konbini (convenience stores).  

China – Rice Boxes and Soup  

Something I learned while researching these lunches around the world is that laborers in China more often than not will have lunch provided to them by the corporation paying for the work. This is typically because most construction done across major cities in China is sanctioned by government officials. Workers in China often get rice or noodle boxes with a mix of meat and steamed vegetables. 

For those taking on private construction or electrical jobs, pre-packed lunches tend to be similar—rice and steamed vegetables, or soup during the cooler months. 

Brazil – The “Prato Feito” Power Meal 

If Brazil had an official laborer’s lunch, it’d be the prato feito — literally translating to “ready plate.” Prato Feito is typically made with rice, beans, meat, salad, and maybe a fried egg on top. This is a simple yet reliable staple in Brazil for construction workers. People in Brazil often eat Prato Feito for all three meals in their day because it is so consistently satiating and doesn’t require much variation. 

Germany – Meat and Bread 

In Germany, lunch breaks are efficient rather than fancy. Most laborers opt for a filling meal centered around Wurstbrot (sausage sandwiches on dense rye bread). Another popular choice is Leberkäse (a kind of meatloaf) served in a roll or on top of Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) with sausage. When the weather turns cold, workers reach for pea or lentil soup in a thermos. For German workers, food is all about sturdy starches and high protein. 

Kenya – Curry Bread and Boerewors Rolls 

When I was young, my uncle spent years in Kenya doing construction for schools and offices. He said he ate the same lunch every day: bunny chow. No, it isn’t rabbit food—it’s a hollowed-out loaf filled with spicy curry, as filling as it is flavorful. Nowadays, standard Kenyan lunches are similar, often featuring a boerewors roll (grilled sausage with onions) or vetkoek (fried dough stuffed with minced meat). Whatever the meal, it’s rich, bold, and built to satisfy after hours under the sun. 

India – A Small Portion 

A typical meal for a construction worker in India might include a plateful of rice, some watered down daal, with some vegetables thrown in. And perhaps an egg, if they eat them.  If that doesn’t sound like a lot for someone doing physical labor all day, you would be correct. Unfortunately, most labor workers in villages and less metropolitan areas of India aren’t paid enough to have a substantial grocery budget that includes daily work lunches. Often, workers in India will skimp out on lunch and wait until later in the day for dinner to have a more substantial meal.  

Why It Matters 

No matter where you go, the story’s always the same: good food keeps good work going. For people who build, wire, pave, and repair the world around us, lunch can be the most important meal of the day. In just an hour or less, laborers all around the world need to refuel for the day ahead. In this sense, food literally keeps the world moving.