School lunches in the United States have a complex background. Many people who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s have fond memories of some menu items, like rectangular pizza, but there were also some unusual choices. Students often received a tray with pizza, French fries, chocolate milk, and soggy green beans at 10:30 a.m. Although the selections have improved over time, they often remain quite bland, with typical offerings like pizza, chicken nuggets, or questionable ground beef options such as burgers and meatloaf.
In May 2025, a photo of a school lunch from an elementary school in South Korea gained attention online, capturing many viewers’ interest. An American teacher living in South Korea shared the image on Reddit, where it quickly gathered over 17,000 upvotes. The teacher later informed Newsweek that the lobster served was a special occasion dish and not part of the regular menu at his private school. The tray featured vibrant colors, notably the noodles with a creamy red sauce, but the standout item was a stuffed lobster tail, possibly lobster thermidor.
Commenters, primarily from the U.S., responded with a mix of disbelief and intrigue. Some expressed admiration for the lunch, saying school meals in various countries often surpass those in the U.S. One user reminisced about amazing lunches while teaching in South Korea, highlighting a beef and quail egg stew as a favorite. Another shared experiences from a study program in Korea, noting that the university cafeteria had meals that tasted great and were affordable.
A parent from Spain commented on how their child’s school invited parents to taste the lunch, which they found excellent. They mentioned that the school provided a meal calendar for the month and catered to dietary restrictions for all students. A person from a developing country remarked that even with limited funding, their public schools offered healthier lunches than those in the U.S.
Some users expressed strong feelings about the differences in school lunches, with one stating that American schools neglect the needs of children. Others joked about wanting to return to elementary school for such meals, while some doubted that American kids would enjoy meals like lobster.
Overall, the discussion highlighted stark contrasts in school lunch offerings around the world. What do you think about the differences in school lunches between countries?
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Source: Upworthy, by Evan Porter