What is your favorite comfort food? It might seem like a simple question, and at first blush, it is- most Americans, especially children, will gladly shout out eager cries of pizza or tacos, maybe even cheeseburgers. Don't get me wrong, these are perfectly delicious and fine foods to enjoy, no derision or condescension coming from me on that point- and I'm certainly never one to be opposed to the idea of consuming pizza (or tacos, or cheeseburgers), whether they're bedecked with pineapple or anchovies (or even both, which may be rather shocking, I know). These foods reflect the melting pot of American culture (being Italian, Latin, or German in origin respectively) as well as our love for hearty, meaty (or at least cheesy) goodness. This question grows more convoluted in its response when you venture beyond this country's shores, however. When I'd ask Japanese children their favorite food at Tokyo Disney Sea, the answers were frequently fruits or vegetables- one of my favorite responses to that question, ever, was when a small child at the "Turtle Talk" attraction told Crash that his favorite food was "BROCCOLI" with all the childish glee and enthusiasm their little lungs could muster. When have you ever heard an American kid brag about their fondness for the little forests? Another common, and perhaps unsurprising, response was rice. Being the staple grain for the majority of the Asian countries, and therefore providing the basis for the typical home cooked meal, its ubiquitous presence paired with its clean and simple flavor make it easy to understand why it would gain a sentimental spot in one's heart. Curry rice, after all, is such a well-loved dish in Japan that it was available 365 days a year in the employee cafeteria at Tokyo Disney Sea, for those extra-picky eaters who turned their noses up at the other dishes available. Rice presents an endless potential, like a blank sheet of paper, ready to take any ideas you throw its way. To be totally honest, I had little interest of care for rice prior to moving to and living in Japan for an extended period of time- I saw it as bland and boring. Now? Now you can find me hauling 15+ pound bags of the grain home from the market on a fairly frequent basis.
That being true, I still can't say that rice is my favorite food in and of itself. It isn't. I enjoy it with much more vigor these days than I did when I was, say, 14 or 15, and I would be remiss to try to live a life without it... but if I were to crown any food my ultimate, supreme, alpha and omega of comfort food, it's going to have to be...
((Drumroll))
SOUP!
I know, how unsexy. What am, an elderly person with no teeth? Sheesh.
Soup, for all it's plain good looks and its predominant spot as an early appetizer or palate warmer on many menus, is a real work horse of the food world. Whether it's the classic Cambell's condensed tomato soup in a can, made with milk like grandma used to make, or a hot and steaming bowl of pho broth made with a laundry list of ingredients so long it would make you faint. Soup has a universally warming, soothing effect upon consumption that's hard to deny. It's a vessel for endless combinations of meat, grain, and vegetable, and any extensive amount of time spent eating your way through South Korea will only help deepen your appreciation for the broth-based foodstuff. The galbitang pictured here is as unsexy and basic as a Korean soup can come- this batch came in a hermetically sealed pouch, ready to eat, like an MRI for crying out loud. Still comforting, though. Still comforting. There's a lot of time needed to extract the minerals and flavorful goodness from the meat, bones and scraps that go into making broth, but the time spent rewards you with a depth and richness that is unmatched. 
Of course, soup is always enhanced with bread.
💗
XOXO,
NAU
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