When I was a child, my father would bring home a bag of bagels when he came home late.

When he said, "This is boiled and then baked bread, isn't it delicious?" I wondered what was so special about it, but now I realize that it was his simple expression of love.

He would always split the cream cheese in half to share, and he would gently place some smoked salmon on my mouth. It's not anything extraordinary, yet it feels strangely nostalgic and warm.

But do you know why bagels are special?

It's not just because of their shape. This bread has a deep history.

There are even theories that it originated from ancient Egyptian bread.

Perhaps bagels are the ones that best preserve the DNA of the first bread ever made by humans.

And you need to know about kosher food.

According to Jewish law, meat and dairy cannot be eaten together, so traditional bagels never contain milk or butter.

There are only four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. It's a real mystery that such a simple combination can produce such delicious bread.

Moreover, they are not just baked; they are boiled before baking.

This is the essence of bagels. The outside is chewy and firm, while the inside is pleasantly soft. It's a texture that you can't find in other breads.

So when you take a bite, you might think, "Huh?" but soon you become addicted. I often see people who mistake them for donuts and are surprised when they take a bite.

"What is this? Why is it so tough?"

That's exactly what a bagel is. This is how 'bread' should be.

These days, everything bagels are popular, but there is a classic version.

In the past, plain bagels or those topped with poppy seeds and sesame were all there was. I still feel a sense of joy when I spread scallion cream cheese on that nutty sesame bagel.
I top it with smoked salmon, red onion, and tomato for a luxurious meal.

On those days, I feel like everything will go well from the morning, and the day flows a bit better.

The reason New York became a bagel city is simple.

In the 19th century, a large number of Eastern European Jews immigrated, and naturally, this bread spread throughout the city.

The bagel shops we line up to buy from today started in neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island City.

And this is something I really want to say—bagels are not just food to fill your stomach.

Some days, they are a breakfast that swallows stress, some days, they are a scent that reminds you of someone, and some days, they are a quiet source of comfort.

I still stop by the local deli two or three times a week to buy a bagel.

Even though it's always the same combination, I never get tired of it; rather, I really enjoy that familiarity.

So, when you come to New York, make sure to try a bagel.

Broadway shows are great, and walking in Central Park is nice, but the true taste of New York is in that moment when you walk down the street holding a warm bagel in your hand.