That must've been what it was, because I don't mind the smell of cabbage or spiciness. I love sauerkraut. A guy I know has a hot dog trailer outside of a local Home Depot. I couldn't resist a couple of beer brat sauerkraut dogs the other day, man they were good.
I think we just get used to the regional foods we grow up with. I'm sure Koreans would find much of our food revolting.