
Here's what happens to many Filipino restaurants abroad:
They open with passion. They serve traditional recipes. Customers are curious.
But then… doubt creeps in.
Maybe I should make it less sour, less salty, less 'weird' for local tastes.
These ingredients are expensive. I'll just substitute.
Nobody knows what this dish is anyway. Why bother explaining?
Slowly, the food becomes generic. Safe. Forgettable.
And when your food is forgettable, so is your restaurant.

