Chicken is universally loved. However, some people cannot handle spice at all, while others exclusively crave it. Indonesians, in particular, are known for their love of spicy food. That is why I prepared dakbokkeumtang (braised spicy chicken) mixed with both green and red Cheongyang chili peppers for four young men from Jakarta. They enjoyed it so much that they licked their fingers clean.

If I had served that same dish to young people from the Middle East, they would have shed tears, crying out that "fire is coming out of our mouths." When preparing food or hosting guests, tailoring the service to match the culinary preferences of their home country is incredibly helpful. The stories I've heard and the conversations I've shared with global neighbors over the past 26 years are things I often put into practice in real-life situations. Dealing with situations based on experience becomes a weapon for survival.

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