Here's what different countries feed their troops, from kimchi to dried cappuccino to pizza with a three-year shelf life

James PasleySep 9, 2023, 19:55 IST

A soldiers spoons out chili-mac to feed soldiers in a tent in the Saudi desert.Tannen Maury/AP

Soldiers used to have limited options when it came to meal choices during their service.
They either eat at dining facilities or if they are in the field, they eat vacuum-packed meals called MREs.

Since the 1980s, armies have worked to improve the way they feed their soldiers.

Around the world, most armies make sure their vacuum-sealed field rations come with at least a few traditional foods that soldiers are familiar with to help boost morale.

In the US, MREs have to fulfill a number of requirements. They need to have a minimum shelf life of 3.5 years at a mild temperature, or nine months in a hot climate. They also need to be able to withstand being dropped from 1,250 feet.

US soldiers get pizza with a three-year shelf-life, Korean soldiers get kimchi, and Italian soldiers get a shot of alcohol, to name a few.

Here are 14 different armies and the foods they feed their soldiers.

A US army official said early MREs were filled with "mystery meat and no-name casseroles," and soldiers quickly got tired of them.

US troops sort through their MREs for breakfast in southwest Iraq.Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Across the border in Canada, soldiers are fed MREs with options including salmon or couscous for vegetarians.

A shot of a Canadian MRE next to an American MRE.Bernard Weil/Toronto Star/Getty Images

In Britain, soldiers are fed a national favorite — chicken tikka masala. They are also provided with vegetarian pasta, pork and beans, or a clam chowder option.

A British soldier eats his MRE in Afghanistan.Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

In South Korea, soldiers are fed chicken and rice, beans and rice, pork sausages, meatballs, dried spicy vegetable broth powder, and kimchi.

A South Korean marine eats dinner during a military drill against possible attacks by North Korea.Yang Hee-Seok/Reuters

In China, soldiers are fed pork egg rolls, vegetables, and pickled mustard root.

Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers eating as they patrol along the border of Khunjerab Pass in Kashgar in China's western Xinjiang region.STR/AFP/Getty Images

In Japan, soldiers are fed curries, frankfurters, and hamburgers. They also get dried tuna and daikon, which is pickled radish.

A troop of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force eats during a break.Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

In France, soldiers are fed stews, risottos, soups, duck confit, and deer pâté.

French soldiers eating rations in Mali.Daphne Benoit/AFP/Getty Images

In Italy, soldiers are fed a 40% alcohol shot of Grappa for breakfast, as well as powdered cappuccino.

Italian soldiers eat canned food in Lebanon.Awad Awad/AFP/Getty Images

In Spain, soldiers are fed green beans and ham, tinned tuna salad, as well as squid in vegetable oil.

Spanish soldiers eating their MREs in Afghanistan.Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

In Germany, soldiers are fed goulash and potatoes, sausage liver spread, rye bread, and biscotti.

German volunteer soldiers eating during training.Unkel/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

In Russia, soldiers are fed biscuits, bacon, buckwheat porridge with beef, or beef goulash. They get tea, coffee, bitter chocolate, and chewing gum.

Russian soldiers enjoy a meal at their positions on the Sleptsovskaya check point on the Chechen border.Anatoly Maltsev/AP

In Norway, soldiers are fed a variety of stews — beef, chicken, or cod — as well as rice, fish curries, and protein bars.

Two Norwegian soldiers on a ski patrol at the border of Norway and Russia.Annika Byrde/NTB/AFP/Getty Images

In Australia, soldiers are fed sandwiches with jam or Vegemite, chili, and tuna pasta, along with cheese, chocolate bars, soft drinks, condensed milk, and sweets.

Australian soldiers march during the Anzac Day ceremony in Turkey.Emrah Guerel/AP

In New Zealand, it wasn't the MREs soldiers were complaining about, but the meals served in dining facilities.

New Zealand soldiers during an exercise at Linton Military Camp in Palmerston North, New Zealand.Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

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