The Embedded Memory in Comfort Food

Everyone has his or her own  idea of what comfort food is.  It is highly subjective; most of  the association stemming  from pleasant  and memorable childhood experiences. For us Filipinos, what food could give more comfort than our own cuisine?  For some, it may be a bowl of pipping-hot sinigang na baboy, the meat and fat quivering in its softness, the vegetables green and crunchy, and the soup so sour  that one can't help but shudder in delight.  For others, it may be the humble adobo, be it saucy or dry, dark or light, sour or salty.  Eggs and potatoes are optional of course, but it is always best if it's lovingly cooked at home.

However, I'd like to think I buck the trend for not choosing Filipino food as a source of comfort.  Sure, I'd more than appreciate a hearty sinigang or a simple adobo.  Who Filipino wouldn't?  But of all the delectable food that is out there to savor, only one thing comes in mind for me when it comes to comfort food.

Kowloon's jumbo pao.

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Mom used to work in a government agency when I was a kid.  She'd endure countless hours of commuting in traffic to and fro our house to her office in Makati.  But once every few days, she'd call me out aloud the moment she stepped through the door and say, "Anak, I have pasalubong for you!" From her hands hidden behind her back, she'd hand me over a white plastic with red lettering. I'd open it, peer at the contents, and sure enough, there'd be a jumbo pao inside - still warm and steamy.

"I love you, anak ko," she'd hug and kiss me on the cheeck.

"I love you, too, Mom! Thanks for the pasalubong!" I'd respond with a muffled reply since a mouthful of the jumbo pao was already in my mouth.

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Cubao Boy and I accompanied my mom one afternoon for her check up with the doctor.  Since I knew her appointment would take some time to finish, CB and I decided to take merienda at the nearby Kowloon House.  Naturally, what would we order but jumbo paos, a cold can of Coke Zero, and egg tarts for dessert?

The jumbo pao was still good as it always had been.  The dough was still steamy, soft but textured, with a slightly sweet taste.  The bola-bola, asado, chinese chorizo, and the salted egg provided a contrast of taste, yet they melded together in perfect complement.  As I sank my first bite, all the warm memories of my childhood came back to me in a rush of nostalgia.

Ah yes, such is wonder of comfort food.

I picked up my mom soon after from the doctor's clinic, and she joined us for merienda. I bought her a jumbo pao and shark's fin siomai.  She was delighted with the food, and asked if I remember that she used to bring me the same kind of siopao as pasalubong when I was a kid.

Yes, Ma, I do still remember. I do still remember the sacrifices you made while I was growing up. The passage of time has not diminished the impact nor the clarity of recollection.

And with every bite of a Kowloon jumbo pao, I honor and give thanks to that memory.
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Para kay Galen at CB, na adik-adikan din sa Kowloon jumbo pao. Salamat din kay PKF at sa kanyang sinulat na inspiration ko sa post na ito.