EP11. My Comfort Food, Gimbap (소울푸드, 김밥)

In this episode, I talk about comfort food (소울푸드) — the kind of food that doesn’t just fill your stomach, but quietly comforts your heart.

For me, that food is 김밥.

When I was a student, 김밥 was simply an easy, affordable meal
 I grabbed between classes.
 I never imagined it would become something I’d miss.

But while living abroad, I found myself craving 김밥 deeply —
 the nutty sesame oil,
 the soft egg,
 and especially tuna 김밥 with its creamy, savory taste.

Whenever I missed Korean food,
 I made 김밥 for myself.
 It became my comfort food — a way to feel close to the place I had left behind.

Warm food has a way of carrying memories.
 Even from far away, it reminded me of Korea, the language, and the everyday life I missed.

Now that I’m back in Korea,
 I no longer make 김밥 at home.
 It’s easier to buy it outside,
 and I rarely taste it made with my own hands.

Still, whenever I pass a 분식집, memories return —
 making 김밥 with foreign friends,
 introducing Korea through food,
 and missing it together.

What is your comfort food?
 Is there a taste that brings you back
 to a certain place or time?

🎧 Take this episode slowly,
 and think about the food that comforts you.