15 Favourite Sandwiches Kids Love Around the World

1. Banh Mi (Vietnam)

Banh mi simply means “sandwich” in Vietnamese. Although the baguette originated under French colonial rule, Vietnamese cooks turned it into something their own, with fillings that vary widely from region to region and family to family. Since it still looks a lot like the sandwiches your children already know, it’s a great introduction to global flavours. It’s a little more adventurous, but the format is comfortably familiar.

Hương (Cielle) from Savour the Pho recommends layering a light, crusty baguette with grilled lemongrass chicken, quick-pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, fresh cilantro and scallions. To bring everything together, spread Vietnamese liver pâté, as well as Vietnamese mayonnaise or a substitute, on one side of the bread. “Kewpie (Japanese mayo) is the closest substitute; same rich, egg-yolk-forward texture. Regular mayo works too,” she says.

You can find the full Banh Mi recipe on Savour the Pho.

2. Bocadillos (Spain)

Spanish bocadillos are proof that sandwiches don’t need a long list of ingredients to be delicious. While there’s a wide variety of fillings you can find, the foundation of a great bocadillo is usually as simple as a crunchy baguette-style bread rubbed with fresh tomato purée, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

The secret is to extract the tomato’s juice and pulp while leaving the skin behind, since it can be bitter. The result is a fresh, vibrant tomato purée that adds bright, summery flavour to the bread.

Children may appreciate more flavour, though. Some of the most popular fillings are cured ham, tortilla española and simple ham and cheese. More adventurous eaters may eventually graduate to the famous bocadillo de calamares, a sandwich filled with fried squid that has become an icon in parts of Spain.

3. Choripán (Argentina)

Choripán is one of Argentina’s most loved street foods. The name is simple: “chori” comes from chorizo, and “pan” means bread. And as the name suggests, the star of this sandwich is Argentinian chorizo, a smoky pork-and-beef sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika. Served in a toasted mini baguette with fresh chimichurri, it’s simple, satisfying and perfect for introducing children to South American flavours.

Argentinian chorizo is usually mild, so it’s great for younger eaters. If your older kids enjoy a little more heat, try making a Mexican-inspired version at home by mixing ground pork with ancho chile powder, cumin, garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and sea salt before browning it in a skillet. Finish the sandwich with parsley chimichurri and a little tomato and bell pepper salsa for extra freshness.

You can find Paula’s Choripan recipe on Vintage Kitchen Notes.

4. The Chip Butty (United Kingdom)

The chip butty might be the sandwich that gets the biggest reaction from your kids. After all, it’s essentially thick-cut chips tucked inside soft buttered bread. A “butty” simply means a sandwich, and this beloved British classic has been filling lunchboxes and satisfying hungry families for generations.

The secret is using chunky chips that are fluffy in the middle with a lightly crisp exterior. Pile them into pillowy white bread, add plenty of salted butter, then finish with ketchup or a splash of malt vinegar. You may also add cheddar cheese for extra comfort. It may sound wonderfully over the top, but one bite usually explains why Britain remains so obsessed with it.

You can find the full Chip Butty recipe on Veggie Desserts.

5. Kebap (Türkiye)

Few sandwiches are as fun to watch being made as a kebap. Across Türkiye, seasoned meat is stacked onto a towering vertical rotisserie, where it slowly roasts as it turns before being shaved into thin slices and tucked into warm flatbread. It’s one of the country’s most popular street foods and comes in many regional styles, which makes it a delicious introduction to Turkish cuisine. The döner itself is Turkish, though the version served in flatbread was invented in 1970s Berlin by Turkish guest workers, so it belongs to kids in two countries at once.

Bringing those flavours home is much easier than it looks. Marie, the one doing the cooking around here, skips the traditional rotisserie setup entirely for her family-friendly kebap recipe. “Instead of using complicated equipment, you season beef, roll it tightly in parchment paper, and bake it in the oven. It’s so much easier than it looks.” Wrap it in warm flatbread with crunchy cabbage, tomatoes and creamy yogurt sauce, and you have a lunch that tastes like street food from a holiday abroad.

6. The Bombay Sandwich (India)

The Bombay sandwich shows how a familiar food can take on a completely different personality. All you have to do to prepare this sandwich is to stack buttered white bread with sliced potatoes, cucumber, tomatoes, onions and beets, then generously spread with a vibrant green chutney made from fresh herbs.

Older kids who enjoy a gentle touch of spice may like a sprinkle of chaat masala, and grated cheese makes it even more irresistible. With so many colourful ingredients, it can be tempting to keep adding more. However, one of the secrets to a great Bombay sandwich is balance.

Using just enough of every filling lets the flavors complement one another instead of competing, and makes the sandwich much easier for little hands to hold. Slice it in half, and those bright, colourful layers are guaranteed to make lunchtime more exciting.

You can find the full Bombay Sandwich recipe on Dassana’s Veg Recipes.

7. Mortadella Panino (Italy)

Children may be more interested in what’s inside the sandwich than what it’s called, but they may enjoy learning that panino is the correct Italian word for a sandwich. Panini is actually the plural form, so saying “I want to eat a panini” is a bit like saying “I want to eat a sandwiches.”

Language lesson aside, mortadella is worth getting to know. This cured pork is made from finely ground meat and small cubes of pork, which creates a soft and delicate texture. Sliced thinly, it almost melts on your tongue. Italians have enjoyed it for centuries, and Brazil later turned it into one of its most famous sandwiches.

You can make a family-friendly version by layering mortadella inside warm ciabatta or focaccia with creamy stracciatella cheese and pistachio pesto. The flavours are a little different from the usual lunchbox fillings, but that’s why it’s such a fun way to introduce something new without venturing too far outside your child’s comfort zone.

You can find the full Mortadella Sandwich recipe on The FoodOlic.

8. Croque-Monsieur (France)

For those days when you need a hot lunch that’s guaranteed to succeed, France’s croque-monsieur is what you’re looking for. Think of it as the grown-up version of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Marie explains the appeal. “A croque-monsieur is basically a ham and cheese sandwich that got a French makeover.” Tuck layers of ham and melted cheese between bread, top with a creamy béchamel sauce, then grill it in the air fryer until golden. No oven to preheat.

You can keep the sauce hidden inside the sandwich if your little one tends to inspect lunch with the intensity of a detective solving a crime. There’s even a variation called a croque-madame, which comes topped with a fried egg. This version might be easier to introduce for fussier eaters.

9. Cuban Sandwich (Cuba)

A Cuban sandwich, usually called El Cubano, takes a familiar ham and cheese sandwich and turns it into something much more memorable. The combination has remained popular for generations, with roots in Cuba and strong ties to Florida, where it became a favourite lunch for workers in cigar factories and other industries.

You can make a family-friendly version by layering sliced ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, dill pickles and yellow mustard inside a long, soft loaf of bread. A generous amount of butter helps create the signature crispy exterior once the sandwich is pressed and grilled. The contrast between the crunchy bread, melty cheese, savoury meats and tangy pickles is what makes a Cuban sandwich so satisfying.

You can find the full Cuban Sandwich recipe on A Latin Flair.

10. Polish Kanapki (Poland)

Poland’s open-faced sandwiches, called “kanapki,” are a masterclass in making healthy food look irresistible. “Polish children grow up building these colourful sandwiches, and the process is what encourages them to eat vegetables,” explains Zuza Zak, author of four cookbooks, including The Gutsy Kids Cookbook.

A classic version starts with rye bread (or sourdough), butter, lettuce, smoked trout, sliced egg, tomato, cucumber, and fresh dill. “You need a good balance of colors, flavors, and textures,” Zuza notes. “Kids love arranging everything like an edible art project.”

Karolina at Polish Foodies has the full Polish kanapka recipe, with lots of topping ideas.

11. Falafel Sandwich (Middle East)

A falafel sandwich is a great way to introduce your kids to a taste of the Middle East. Falafel originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean and is enjoyed across countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and many others.

Throughout the Middle East and North Africa, it’s usually eaten for breakfast, tucked into pita or flatbread as a hearty sandwich. Made from chickpeas blended with herbs and seasonings before being cooked until crisp, it pairs perfectly with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and a creamy sauce.

To hold everything together, add a layer of hummus to the bread. Although store-bought hummus works on busy days, you can make it at home for a healthier version. Blend chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a splash of aquafaba or the liquid from canned chickpeas, for an extra creamy texture. Then, finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika or sumac before spreading it on your bread.

You can find the full Falafel Sandwich recipe on Amira’s Pantry

12. Arepa con Queso (Colombia/Venezuela)

An arepa con queso can be an instant favourite in your home if your child loves grilled cheese. Popular in Colombia and Venezuela, these golden cornmeal cakes are filled with cheese and cooked until crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. The cheese melts as it cooks, creating a warm, gooey centre that children usually find hard to resist.

You can make them with mozzarella, queso fresco or another mild cheese your family enjoys. Once ready, slice them open and add avocado, tomatoes or a spoonful of salsa. Since they’re made with corn flour instead of bread, they offer a completely different sandwich experience.

You can find more Arepa filling ideas on The Cookware Geek.

Smørrebrød proves that a sandwich doesn’t always need a top slice of bread. This iconic Danish dish starts with hearty rye bread topped with colourful ingredients instead of another slice on top. The focus is all about the toppings, which makes it a fun option for families.

Invite your children to build their own creations, choosing toppings they already enjoy. You can help them spread cream cheese mixed with chives over the bread, then add cucumber, radishes and pea shoots for crunch and colour, or whatever they like to add to their bread. Leftover vegetables from dinner work well, too.

Kristi at True North Kitchen has the full Crispy Pan-Fried Fish Smørrebrød recipe.

14. Fruit Sando (Japan)

When a sandwich looks like dessert, you already have a head start. Japan’s fruit sando pairs fluffy white bread with whipped cream and colourful fruit that looks almost too pretty for a lunchbox. The classic choice is strawberries, but you can also use peaches, kiwi or other fruits depending on the season.

Part of the fun comes from arranging the fruit so a bright pattern appears when you slice the sandwich. If you’ve ever struggled to get your kids excited about fruit, presenting it in sandwich form can be a magical solution.

You can find the full Fruit Sando recipe on The Heirloom Pantry.

15. Kaya Toast (Singapore and Malaysia)

If your family already loves toast with butter and jam, kaya toast is an easy way to introduce a little Southeast Asian flavour to the lunchbox.

Kaya is a rich coconut jam made from eggs, sugar and coconut cream. Don’t worry if making it from scratch sounds ambitious. You can usually find jars of this jam at Asian grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Popular in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, this delicious packed lunch sandwich idea is traditionally made by spreading kaya on toasted white bread, then adding cold butter. It’s sweet, creamy and comforting.

Caroline at Caroline’s Cooking has the full Kaya Toast recipe, coconut jam and all.