Craving Comfort Across Continents: My Hunt for Home in Every Bite
When you’re thousands of miles from home, ensconced in a foreign culture with its own myriad of flavors, there’s a particular kind of nostalgia that takes root. It’s that deep, almost visceral yearning for a taste of home. For me, that taste has always been chicken and waffles.
Why Chicken and Waffles?
For some, it’s mom’s apple pie or a juicy hamburger. But my comfort food is a crispy piece of chicken atop a soft, fluffy waffle, drizzled generously with maple syrup. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory, a Southern dish that, for me, epitomizes American comfort.
Living abroad as an expat is an enriching experience. Every day is a new adventure, every meal an opportunity to discover a new favorite dish. But amidst the sushi in Japan, pasta in Italy, or paella in Spain, there are days when your taste buds ache for that familiar taste, a link to memories of home.
The Quest Begins
Settling in Amsterdam was a dream come true. Canals, tulips, and a wealth of European history right at my doorstep. And while Dutch stroopwafels and herring have their charm, they couldn’t satiate my craving for chicken and waffles.
One Sunday, driven by an insatiable urge, I embarked on a mission to find this classic American dish in the heart of Europe. Surely, in a city as cosmopolitan as Amsterdam, chicken and waffles would be on a menu somewhere!
Lost in Translation
My first attempt led me to a local diner that promised “American-style breakfast.” Excited, I scanned the menu, only to be met with a Dutch rendition – a waffle topped with chicken salad. Not quite the soul-soothing dish I was envisioning.
Undeterred, I turned to fellow American expats in the city. Recommendations led me from one brunch spot to another. Some came close with fried chicken paired with pancakes. Others offered waffles with crispy bacon. But the true, unadulterated chicken and waffles remained elusive.
Eureka in the Unexpected
Just as I was on the verge of giving up and considering frying up my own batch, a fellow expat mentioned a hidden gem: a small American-owned café tucked away in one of Amsterdam’s quieter neighborhoods. With hope renewed, I headed there the very next weekend.
Walking in, the aroma of fried chicken was unmistakable. And there, on their brunch menu, was the dish I had been dreaming of: authentic Southern chicken and waffles.
The first bite was pure bliss. The waffle was light and airy with crisp edges, and the chicken? Perfectly fried to golden perfection. Each mouthful was a trip down memory lane, a reminder of lazy Sunday mornings and family brunches back home.
More Than Just Food
While my quest for chicken and waffles was rooted in a culinary craving, it became a journey of discovery. It wasn’t just about the dish but about finding a piece of home amidst the unfamiliar.
Being an expat is an incredible adventure, but it’s also dotted with moments of homesickness. Food, with its power to evoke memories and emotions, becomes a bridge between our past and present.
A Taste of Home, Wherever You Are
Since that delightful discovery, I’ve returned to that café multiple times, not just for the chicken and waffles but for the warmth and familiarity it offers. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we roam, there’s comfort in knowing a piece of home can always be found – if you look hard enough.
To all my fellow expats and travelers, the next time you find yourself yearning for a taste of home, I encourage you to embark on your own culinary quest. It’s a journey that feeds not just the body, but also the soul.
