Seoul, South Korea

Zauner's mother, Chongmi, is from Seoul, and Zauner has spent a considerable amount of time in the South Korean capital throughout her life. As a child, she and Chongmi would often spend their summers in Seoul, staying with Chongmi's mother, who Zauner calls Halmoni, and Chongmi's sisters, Eunmi Emo and Nami Emo. Halmoni's apartment was located in Gangnam, "a bustling neighborhood on the south bank of the Han River" (24). While attending Bryn Mawr, Zauner took part in a language program in which she stayed with Eunmi Emo in Seoul for several weeks studying the Korean language. At the end of the memoir, Zauner travels to Seoul with her band to perform as Japanese Breakfast, and Eunmi Emo attends the concert.

Zauner frequently reflects on the food she has eaten at various times while visiting Seoul, as Korean food was and remains an important part of...