Not different at all. Some of my most comforting times have been with my grandmother.
She used to watch me and my brother after school when we were younger, and on the colder winter evenings, she would make this beef noodle soup. It had this distinct star anise, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce flavor to it. There was always some blanched veggies to top it off with a sprinkling of green onions. I'm sure there were other things, but man was it wonderful. It was my version of hot dogs and Mac and cheese growing up. As soon as I smelled it, I remember I would drop whatever I was doing in the house and run to the kitchen to try and sneak some tastes while waiting for her to finish cooking.