A Story From a Korean-American Childhood – Lunch on the train

I think I was 14 when one of my aunts and her husband came to visit for a family trip up the east coast. She was my mom’s older sister, so this made her my Eemo (이모).

The plan was to get on a train in DC up to New York City where the official tour began. Being someone who enjoys travel, I was excited about riding the train almost as much as touring NYC!

At least I was until something happened about 20 minutes into the train ride.

My family had settled in to our seats. Being a normal restless teenager, I decided to explore the snack car I had spotted on the way to boarding. I bought a soda and made a mental note to return for the plastic wrapped sandwich later when I got bored and hungry. Then I headed back to our car.

I was a couple of rows away from my family when it hit me…a waft of kimchi! And there were mutterings of “What’s that smell?”

…No, they didn’t bring kimchi on the train! I didn’t even see where they could’ve been carrying it!….

Oh but it was!

I reached our seats to see that my aunt had packed a full Korean meal into plastic containers and foil for the whole family. She looked up at me and offered the bounty she had laid out on the folding tray. Of course I declined, but only after giving her the dirtiest look a teenager could muster. (Yes, I know I was a huge jerk!)

I was in total disbelief that they had brought kimchi on to the train…an enclosed area! It wasn’t even going to be a long ride, why on Earth did they have to pack a multi-course meal?? I was going to die of embarrassment! Where was the nearest rock because I wanted to crawl under it.

Murder by kimchi on the Orient Express!

I plopped down in the seat next to my sister who seemed utterly unaffected by the turn of events. She had resigned herself to the fact that this was just how it was going to be. I, on the other hand, was rolling my eyes so much that I’m surprised I could see straight after that day!

But as I sat there drinking my soda and judging my family harshly, I felt hunger pangs. I think I must have glanced over at them eating too many times because my aunt offered a roll of kimbap (Korean style “sushi” rolls) – the least olfactory offensive things that was available.

And sure enough, I didn’t refuse this time! Darn it, how could I say no? My aunt was, and still is, a fantastic cook! Angst aside, this teenager had to eat!

Food brings people together

With every delicious bite, I swallowed any embarrassment. In the end, I was embarrassed for having been embarrassed in the first place!

Don’t get me wrong. I still wouldn’t bring something as pungent as kimchi on a train or any enclosed public space. But I’ll definitely be nicer about it if I’m around people who do. I’ll think about my aunt, and her kind eyes as she handed me her homemade food to an ungrateful kid.

It also occurs to me that I will be the one who embarrasses my kid with smelly, or at least different, meals. It’s kind-of already happened! But hopefully, he’ll realize one day as well, how lucky he was to have this food.

Have you experienced the same? Share in the comments!