American comedian and actor Nick Kroll is well-known for his roles in movies and television. He expressed a sentiment in one of his interviews that many foodies who have tasted New York City's delectable cuisine can relate to. He mentioned that he missed some city foods, but he focused on how much more he missed one specific item.

New York City is known for bagels, which are renowned for their dense interiors and chewy exteriors. They play a crucial role in the city's breakfast culture. The bialy, on the other hand, is a lesser-known dish that is particularly dear to Kroll.

A bagel and a bialy are similar, but they differ in a few key ways. Unlike a traditional bagel, which has a hole filled with dough and poppy seeds, a bialy has an indentation filled with ingredients such as onion flakes. Because of this special quality, it is lighter than a typical bagel without sacrificing the flavor and texture that many people adore.

One could compare Kroll's feelings of missing these foods to those of someone who misses their hometown but has a stronger sense of nostalgia for a specific location there, such as a favorite park or café. Bagels and bialys capture the spirit of New York City, just as these locations are infused with memories and feelings.

Kroll emphasizes how specific details can make all the difference in having a profound experience of a place or its culture by stating that he prefers the bialy to the bagel. It's similar to discovering that one special ingredient—something tiny but important—that elevates a dish from good to great.