Munching in Monterrey

Having completed our tour of the US, we were anxious to get home.  Although the Laredo border crossing was on the direct path to Oaxaca, it was rumored that this section of the border is controlled by the Zeta cartel.  With some trepidation, we decided to risk it.  To my pleasant surprise, we were in Mexico without any problems.  Our first night was Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.  We climbed to our thirteenth-floor hotel room, and looked out of the full-wall window.  As we stood, admiring the jagged  mountains surrounding the city, an angelic voice softly intoned "Welcome to Mexico.  Let go of your stress."   We looked at each other, and hardly exchanging a word, we extended our stay in the city.

Monterrey's prosperity is due in large part to the many foreign factories based here.  It proudly displays tall modern architecture, and it also boasts a fine culinary landscape.  With a large Korean expat population, I anticipated dinner in a good Korean restaurant.  However, 'good' was not on Adi's mind.  On the third floor of a busy shopping mall, in the far corner of the food court, a small Korean booth served the dish Adi craved.  Tokpoki, Korea's most popular street food, are elongated rice cakes, served in a warm and spicy chili paste..  As she took the first bite, Adi's apprehension broke into a happy smile.  She fed me a sample, and even I could tell that it rivaled the best of Seoul's street stalls.  Su-Ni, the Korean owner, joined our table, and was so overjoyed with Adi's ravenous appetite, that she plied us with additional spicy dishes, some, were off the menu.  Adi, with my help, demolished it all.  The two quickly bonded.  Su-Ni was glad to have a friend that was busy chewing while she did the talking, and Adi was happy to enjoy her excellent cooking.

Thus, our routine for the following days was established.  Light tourist activity in the morning, and Su-Ni's food in the afternoon.  When we finally said goodbye, she insisted that we take with us more dishes, for the drive.

Postscript
Comfort food consumed for three consecutive days, will cause gastric discomfort for the following three.