Description Chapter 1: Foods That Reveal History Cake, the Ceremonial Food Offered to the Gods 12 Beer, a Gift from Osiris, God of Abundance and the Afterlife 14 Salt, the Origin of the Word "Salary" 16 Fish Cake, Offered to Emperor Qin Shi Huang at the Risk of One's Life 18 Sugar, Hiding the Sad History of Slaves Behind Its Sweetness 20 Ice Cream, Once Reserved for Kings and Nobles 22 Shabu-Shabu, the Mongol Army's Battle Ration 24 Lettuce Wraps, a Goryeo Food That Became Popular in Yuan China 26 Steamed Buns, Created Thanks to a Ban on Meat 28 Jorong-i Rice Cake, Made to Symbolize Strangling Yi Seong-gye 30 Seolleongtang, Eaten After the Seonnong Harvest Rite 32 Pepper, Once Valued Like Gold 34 Spaghetti, Which Helped Build the Suez Canal 36 Chocolate, Food of the Gods 38 Dorumuk (Sailfin Sandfish), Loved Then Abandoned by King Seonjo 40 Tempura, Which Killed Tokugawa Ieyasu 42 Japchae, Which Made Its Creator a High Minister 44 Twisted Doughnuts, Eaten by King Gwanghaegun Just Before His Overthrow 46 Injeolmi, the Rice Cake Made by Lady Im and Offered to King Injo 48 Lobster, Once Food for Farmhands and Prisoners 50 Mayonnaise, Celebrating the Victory at the Battle of Mahón 52 British Curry, Transformed from Indian Masala 54 Baguette: If People Are Equal, So Is Bread 56 Fried Chicken, Soul Food of Black Slaves 58 Sweet and Sour Pork, Born from Defeat in the Opium War 60 Margarine, the Fake Butter Made by a French Chemist 62 Tonkatsu, the Transformation of the Cutlet 64 Jajangmyeon, Brought by Chinese Immigrants After the Opening of Jemulpo Port 66 Ramyeon, Born from the Ruins of War 68 Budae-jjigae, Made from Leftover Sausages from a U.S. Army Base 70 Tteokbokki, from a Noble Family's Dish to a Beloved Everyday Snack 72 Chapter 2: Foods That Make You Laugh Potato Chips, the Secret Skill of an Angry Chef 76 Danmuji (Pickled Radish), Named After a Japanese Monk 78 Doughnuts, an Idea from a Picky-Eating Child 80 Tofu, Invented by a King Who Dreamed of Becoming an Immortal 82 Rum, the Lifeblood of Sailors 84 Makgeolli, the Rice Wine Loved by King Cheoljong 86 Seaweed Soup, Eaten Following the Example of Whales 88 Sashimi, the Name Tag Stuck in Fish 90 Soju, a Persian Stomach Medicine Passed Down Through Mongolia 92 Canned Ham, the Glorious Revival of Discarded Meat 94 Cereal, a Nutritious Food Created by a Doctor for Patients 96 Sinseollo, the Portable Brazier Carried from Mountain to Mountain 98 Bungeoppang, a Winter Snack That Came from Japan 100 Yukgaejang, Made with Beef Instead of Dog Meat 102 Jjolmyeon, "Failed" Naengmyeon That Became a Popular Dish 104 Cheonggukjang, Emergency Rations Fermented Under a Horse Saddle 106 Cola, Created by a Pharmacist as a Digestive Aid 108 French Fries, "French" Fries Born in Belgium 110 Bungeoppang Without Fish, Hot Dogs Without Dogs 112 Hamburgers, Which Started as Tatar Battle Rations 114 Gum, Chewed to Clean the Mouth 116 Cheese, Made Inside a Sheep's Stomach 118 Sandwich, Invented by an Earl Addicted to Gambling 120 Chapter 3: Regional Korean Foods with Local Character Gajami-sikhae, the Taste of Home for Displaced Hamgyeong-do People 124 Mild Pyongyang Naengmyeon and Spicy Hamhung Naengmyeon 126 Chungmu Gimbap, a Lunchbox for Husbands Heading Out to Fish 128 Jeonju Bibimbap, Successfully Turned into a Brand 130 Imsil Cheese, Korea's First Cheese 132 Suwon Galbi, Made Famous Thanks to a President 134 Chuncheon Makguksu, Once a Feast Food for Slash-and-Burn Farmers 136 Chodang Tofu, Made Using Seawater as a Coagulant 138 Bingtteok, Created While Trying to Trouble the People of Jeju 140 Chapter 4: Famous Foods from Around the World Fish and Chips, Food of Poor British Workers 144 Sushi, Originally a Method for Preserving Fish 146 Foie Gras, a Delicacy Gained by Mistreating Geese 148 Kebab, the Turkish Army's Battle Ration 150 Bird's Nest Soup, Breakfast of Chinese Emperors 152 Pho, Rice Noodles Holding Vietnam's Sad History 154 Fondue, Which Warmed Swiss Shepherds Against the Cold 156 Feijoada, a Feast Food of Black Slaves 158 Caviar, Europe's Top Choice for a Fine Delicacy 160 Pizza, Which Spread from Naples, Italy, to the World 162 Chapter 5: Forbidden Foods of the World Octopus and Squid, Resembling Sea Monsters to the Germanic Peoples 166 Potatoes, the Devil's Fruit Said to Spread Leprosy 168 Beef, a Forbidden Food for Hindus 170 Chili Peppers, Once Mistaken for a Poisonous Food 172 Coffee, a Fruit Given by God 174 Pork, a Forbidden Food in Judaism and Islam 176 Garlic, a Forbidden Food in Buddhism 178 Appendix: Famous Foods by Country at a Glance 180