Story: Marina Gordon and Brad Smith

When sick, or tired, or far from home, everyone seems to yearn for the gastronomic equivalent of a warm sweater, a kiss on the forehead, a favorite blanket. Macaroni and cheese might mean comfort to you. Or perhaps your source of succor is beef stew or udon noodles. We asked acclaimed chefs and food writers to share their favorite comfort foods and discovered that even people who have sampled the world’s culinary delights return to simple, hearty fare when they crave comfort.