At the picnic area of a CA roadside rest stop midway twixt LA and SF, a couple vans of Korean tourists had their lunch stuff laid out one of the picnic tables. I was intrigued by a huge jar of no-label kimchi in the middle of the picnic spread. So I asked; they were proud to explain it was homemade by the leader of their tour group, made me a small plate with some rice and watched while I tried it. It was as good as any I've had; not too salty, good garlic... they were very pleased I liked it.

I've done this quite a few times at park parties by the beach and often get treated to the ethnic food that piqued my curiosity. People take pride in, and like to share, their cuisine. A side benefit to being a water rat in Orange&L.A. Counties for so many years with it's many Asian/Latino/MiddleEastern enclaves.

Most memorable... some Thai curry that made me want to run and jump in the ocean. "Not for American mouth" he warned me.

A sopapilla stuffed with green chile/cheese/runny fried egg that made me want to marry the lady who cooked it fresh in a big pot of frying oil on the parks bbq grill... so goood!

Yeah, I like food.