There's something about eating good food that warms my heart and soothes my soul. Food was a big part of growing up: I have very fond memories of decadent family meals. I feel fortunate to come from a family of good cooks! I was also encouraged to try new foods and few things prepared me for how much I would love Indian cuisine. The spicier the better, by the way. I live for it. The flavors, the aromas... it's incredible. I almost feel bad for people who don't like it, but then again... more for me!
After Redditor jellybellybean2 asked the online community, "What food blew your mind when you first tried it?" people told us all about the foods they love.
"Had it in L.A...."
Pad Thai. Had it in L.A. with a friend for the first time and man it was amazing. Stalks of green onion, the noodles in that sauce, the egg... it was heaven on a plate.
"I remember the first time..."
I remember the first time my mom gave me a slice of cheesecake. Biting into it was like peering into the mind of the universe and it says to you, "It's okay to be a little fat and sluggish."
Seriously though, I've rarely had cheesecake that I didn't like.
You see...
...I liked cheesecake a lot when I was younger. But I've never had a giant sweet tooth and it's only diminished further as I've gotten older. Still, I don't think I'd turn down a slice. There are so many different varieties!
"It was melt in your mouth..."
Kobe wagyu steak. It was melt in your mouth almost buttery steak. It was $50/oz. but definitely worth the money to experience it.
"Gotta be..."
Gotta be a simple mango. Must have eaten four of them my first time.
May that toilet rest in peace.
"I hated guac..."
Good guac. Like, not just a mashed up avocado, but the kind with salt, pepper, garlic, sweet or red onion, cilantro, lime, and tomatoes with all fresh, garden-grown ingredients. Not the bland shit at the supermarket. I hated guac and didn't understand the point of eating green, flavorless paste until I had the good stuff.
Good guac can change your life.
I loved traveling through Latin America and trying a bunch of different varieties. Delicious.
"I am pretty sure..."
Ramen. Not the dried instant stuff but the kind you get at a proper ramen restaurant. I once got to eat a chicken-based version that came with cabbage, onion, spring onions, marinated egg, seaweed, menma, and three different cuts of chicken. I am pretty sure that was the best meal I ever had.
Ramen is addictive.
I once had the good pleasure of working in an office quite close to some excellent ramen places and let me tell you... I almost ashamed of how much money I blew on my habit.
"Didn't matter what it was."
All food in Greece. Tons of flavor. Didn't matter what it was. Anything I tried, was delicious. Feta cheese over there is NOT the same as it is in the US. If you've had feta in the US and think it's kind of s*****? Have some in Greece.
Can confirm.
The food in Greece is incredible. I cannot wait to return."We each ordered something different..."
Ceviche, and Peruvian food in general. First time I had Ceviche was in Costa Rica. I couldn't stop eating it. Also went to some Peruvian restaurant in a newly built strip mall that was clearly anticipating a rise in tourism/ex-pat community but was well ahead of the curve. My friends and I were the only customers, so we had this grand nearly 5 star restaurant to ourselves. Meals cost $20 each for really, really good cuisine. We each ordered something different and tried a bit from each of our plates, and it was fantastic.
"We just made some for Easter..."
Biryani. Specifically goat biryani.
My wife is Indian. I grew up in Pasta-Mestloaf suburbia, where black pepper was considered a strong spice to used in moderation.
I fell in love again the first time I tasted the richness of spices and complex layers of flavor. My taste buds had detected real flavor for the first time, like those youtube videos of the deaf baby getting a cochlear implant and getting to hear for the first time.
We just had some for Easter, and it still blows my mind after all these years.
"The first time I tried it..."
Slow-cooked meats that just fall apart.
Never had them growing up. The first time I tried it I simply couldn't believe that A tough piece of muscle can turn into something that can be chewed up just by pressing it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue because it's so soft and tender.
It pleases me immensely...
...to hear stories about people enjoying different types of food! Food is one of life's greatest pleasures––probably the greatest, as far as I'm concerned. I am certainly looking forward to traveling one day again and sampling different cuisines once more!
Have some of your own stories to share? Feel free to tell us all about them in the comments below!
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