You're wandering through the Eternal Chasm in Alfheim, probably dodging those annoying Dark Elf projectiles, and you stumble upon a campsite. It looks lived-in. There’s a rainbow-colored campfire flickering away, and it feels... different. It doesn't have that "ancient ruin" vibe that usually permeates the Nine Realms. It feels like someone was just there, making dinner. This is the start of Across the Realms God of War Ragnarok, a Favor that most players treat as a simple fetch quest, but honestly? It’s arguably the most important side content if you actually care about Kratos’ stats.
Don't ignore the book. Seriously.
When you pick up the recipe book at the campsite, you learn about Jari and Somr. They were two travelers—basically a nod to the developers at Santa Monica Studio—who trekked across the realms to find the perfect ingredients for a meal. It’s a touching bit of lore, but let’s be real: you’re here for the Meal of Comfort. This isn't just a bit of flavor text; it’s a permanent stat boost. Specifically, a permanent +5 to every single one of Kratos' stats. In a game where every point of Luck or Vitality can be the difference between surviving a Berserker’s red-ring attack or seeing the "Load Save" screen, that +5 is massive.
Where to Find the Ingredients for Across the Realms
Getting the ingredients isn't exactly a walk in the park. You have to visit four specific realms: Midgard, Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, and Alfheim. The game doesn't give you quest markers right away. You’ve gotta actually look at the world.
The Nordic Gourd in Midgard
Most people find this one first because it’s right near the Lake of Nine. Look for the colorful heart painted on a rock wall near the King's Grave area. It’s hard to miss once you know what you’re looking for. The gourd is just sitting there on the ground. Midgard is cold, bleak, and covered in Fimbulwinter frost, so that bright yellow paint really pops. It’s a nice break from the constant white-and-grey palette of the realm.
The Elven Cap in Alfheim
This one is tucked away in The Forbidden Sands. You’ll need to have opened the gate by finishing the "Song of the Sands" quest first because the sandstorm makes visibility basically zero. Once the air clears, head to the western side of the desert. Look for a fallen pillar you can duck under. The Elven Cap is glowing near another one of those heart paintings. It’s tucked away in a little nook that feels suspiciously like a developer's favorite hiding spot.
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The Bantam Melon in Vanaheim
Vanaheim is a literal maze. To find the Bantam Melon, you need to head to The Sinkholes within The Crater. This is end-game territory, so if you haven't progressed the story far enough to unlock the "Scent of Survival" quest, you won't even be able to get here. You’ll need to open the dam to let the water flow back into the valley. Once you’re rowing around, look for a dock near the celestial altar. The Melon is behind a gate you have to manipulate with your blades. It’s a bit of a trek, but Vanaheim’s lush greenery makes the search less of a chore than the desert heat of Alfheim.
The Prongfruit in Svartalfheim
Finally, head back to the land of the Dwarves. The Prongfruit is located in the Nidavellir area, specifically near the Forge. You’ll need the Draupnir Spear to reach it. There’s a spot where you can throw a spear into a wind vent to create a pole-leap. Once you’re up on the higher ledge near the train tracks, the fruit is sitting right there.
Why the Meal of Comfort Changes Everything
So, you’ve spent an hour or two running across the universe for a gourd, a mushroom, a melon, and a fruit. You go back to the campfire in Midgard. You "craft" the meal. Kratos doesn't even eat it on screen, which is a bit of a letdown if you wanted to see the Ghost of Sparta enjoying a five-course dinner, but the notification pops up: Meal of Comfort Acquired.
Look at your character sheet.
In most RPGs, a +5 boost is "fine." In Across the Realms God of War Ragnarok, it’s a game-changer for high-level builds. Here is why: many of the best enchantments and armor perks have stat thresholds. For example, some Amulet of Yggdrasil enchantments require you to hit a certain Luck or Runic level to activate their "Chance on Hit" perks. That +5 across the board might be exactly what pushes you over the edge to unlock a perk that gives you a Soul Explosion on every Runic attack.
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It’s about the "break points."
If you’re trying to tackle Gna, the Valkyrie Queen, or the King Hrolf Kraki Berserker fight, you need every ounce of defense and strength you can get. The Meal of Comfort is one of the few ways to get a permanent boost that doesn't involve swapping out your favorite gear. It’s "free" power. Well, free if you don't count the travel time.
The Emotional Core of Jari and Somr
We need to talk about why this quest exists. It’s not just a scavenger hunt. The story of Jari and Somr is a tribute to a Santa Monica Studio developer, Sam Handrick, and his late partner. When you read the entries in the journal, the tone is vastly different from the rest of the game's lore. It’s tender. It’s about two people who just wanted to see the world together.
Kratos and Mimir’s dialogue during this quest is surprisingly subdued. Mimir, usually a fountain of knowledge and jokes, speaks with a certain level of reverence for the couple. It mirrors Kratos’ own journey with Faye. It’s a reminder that even amidst a literal apocalypse (Ragnarok), there’s room for small, personal legacies.
This is the beauty of Sony’s first-party design. They take a mechanical necessity—giving the player a stat boost—and wrap it in a narrative that actually makes you feel something. You aren't just collecting ingredients; you’re retracing the steps of two people who loved each other. It makes the world feel inhabited by more than just monsters and gods.
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Technical Tips for Completing the Quest Fast
If you're trying to speedrun this for a New Game Plus (NG+) prep, keep these things in mind:
- Don't start early. You literally cannot finish this quest until you have the Draupnir Spear and have unlocked The Crater in Vanaheim. Trying to do it piecemeal is a waste of Mystic Gateway loads.
- Check your map icons. Once you've visited an area with an ingredient, a small "colorful heart" icon usually appears if you've been close enough to trigger the discovery.
- Clear the threats first. In Alfheim and Vanaheim, the ingredients are guarded by high-level mobs. Don't try to "ninja" the items. Just clear the area so you can actually interact with the prompts.
Many players complain that the Vanaheim melon is glitched. It’s usually not. Most of the time, people just haven't progressed the "Return of the River" quest. You must flood the crater. If there’s no water, you can't reach the dock that leads to the ingredient. Simple as that.
Maximize the Reward
Once you have the Meal of Comfort, don't just forget about it. Go to the Huldra Brothers' shop. Now that your stats are higher, check your Amulet sockets. You might find that you can now equip higher-tier enchantments that were previously "greyed out" because your stats were too low. This is especially true for the "Jotunheim" or "Asgard" sets which rely heavily on your total Cooldown or Strength.
Across the Realms God of War Ragnarok is a masterclass in how to do a side quest. It offers a tangible, permanent reward that respects the player's time while delivering a narrative punch that stays with you long after the credits roll.
To make the most of this, ensure you are tracking your "Favors" in the menu. If you lose track of which realm you've already visited, the quest log will specifically tell you which ingredients are still missing. Once the meal is crafted, it’s gone from your inventory but the stats remain forever. If you start a New Game Plus, you can actually do the quest again to stack the rewards even higher. Imagine Kratos with a +10 or +15 permanent boost across multiple playthroughs. He becomes a literal force of nature.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your progress: Open your map and look at the "Favors" tab. If "Across the Realms" isn't there, head to the Eternal Chasm in Alfheim to trigger it.
- Unlock the Spear: If you don't have the Draupnir Spear yet, stop searching. You can't get the Svartalfheim ingredient without it.
- Flood Vanaheim: Complete the "Return of the River" quest in the Jungle area of Vanaheim. You can't get the Melon without the boat.
- Re-spec your Amulet: After consuming the Meal of Comfort, go to a shop and re-evaluate your enchantments to see if you’ve hit new stat thresholds for better perks.