Long noodles = long life. Found on the banquet table for most celebrations, yi mien (long-life noodles) are eaten at birthdays to symbolize the hope of many more birthdays to come. You can find yi mien at most Asian grocery stores, and the other ingredients are pretty straightforward. A savory alternative to traditional sweet birthday treats, this recipe from The Woks of Life cooks them up in a simple but delicious way.

You’ll find kids in Brazil munching on brigadeiros alongside their birthday cake. These traditional chocolate truffles have just four ingredients but don’t skimp on luxurious flavor. Check out this recipe from Tasty for step-by-step video instructions.

Easily the most recognizable dish from Spain, paella is often found on the table at birthday celebrations. A colorful and flavorful dish, its versatility allows recipes to run the gamut from seafood-laden expensive versions to this recipe from Spain on a Fork that feeds four people for under $10.

France is known for its extravagant food, and the French love for pastry includes Gâteaux - or, “cakes” - of all kinds. French cakes are not usually covered with buttercream icing like in the U.S., but rather are baked with creams, fruits, or nuts. Many of these cakes can be incredibly complex to prepare but one that is too simple not to try is a clafoutis. A clafoutis is a simple crumb cake studded with fruit, most commonly fresh cherries or berries. Pretty Simple Sweet has a basic clafoutis recipe featuring simple, affordable ingredients that can be customized with your favorite fruit.