Bho ko - a spicy Vietnamese beef stew - immediately comes to mind for me. It's savory, hearty, fragrant. Has a touch of sweet. Great mix of eastern and western ingredients so it's familiar and comforting on many levels. A Vietnamese friend of mine made it for a dinner party a few years back and it set off the cravings.

I like mine without noodles, and instead with toasted french bread for dipping.