Korea: Galbitang 갈비탕 and Ssamziegil snacks

Undoubtedly, one of the best things about living and working in Seoul is the ready accessibility of delicious, affordable food at any turn. Whether you're in need of a robust, hearty meal with a rainbow of banchan to whet your palate and satisfy your hunger, or simply an easy, light, quick snack to tide you over, you'll never have to go far to find it. The Fun Caricature location I spent a significant portion of my work days at in Seoul's historic arts and crafts district of Insadong, near Anguk station, was especially well-endowed in terms of delicious options- from food carts to sit down breweries, high or low end, it was all there. We could even get food delivered to us right at the location, fresh and steaming hot, should the need or desire arise (it did). Korean food delivery systems are among some of the best in the world, though America is desperately trying to catch up these days with Ubereats and Doordash and whatever other silly-named services have since come out offering to ferry your food directly to you to save you the hassle of going to get it. 

While I frequently opted for the cheap, quick snack from a vendor or the convenience stores, there was no denying the bounty of restaurants available to choose from near the caricature location. At first I was too anxious to go and try to fend for myself in a restaurant where the language is something I sorely struggle to comprehend, but once I started to pick up on reading Hangul (it's really a lot easier than you think it is) and could deduce the items on the menu it was a lot less intimidating. The meal pictured above, a delicious and warming bowl of beef rib soup (aka Galbitang) and ample banchan was reasonably priced, even for being in a nicer restaurant in a tourist-heavy area, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as a change of pace from the usual hard boiled eggs and mysterious sausage-shaped-fish-based-food. My coworkers would sometimes join me on these lunch outings, but this was a solo mission. It was peaceful. If there's a lesson here, my friends, it's to be brave and get out there and try. Believe it or not, most people are actually quite kind at heart, at least in my experience out in the world. 

And who knows, maybe you'll make friends with the sweet lady at the dongppang (poop bread) shop!

Korea: 갈비탕 Galbitang and snacks at home

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.