A few weeks back, I attended a company-sponsored dinner for an office meetup. We dined at a fine dining restaurant that offered a buffet.

The spread was massive—at least ten different types of starters. There was an assortment of chicken, fish, cottage cheese, and much more. And, of course, the main course was no less extravagant.

Later that evening, I was on the phone with my girlfriend, who grew up in a small village, and I told her about the dinner. I described the sheer variety of dishes I had, and her response surprised me. She said, “With so much variety, how can you even tell which one is the best? How do you actually enjoy it?”

Her words made me stop and think.

Recently, I’ve started cooking more at home (I live away from my family for work). My go-to dish is chicken marinated in curd, ginger, garlic, onion, and coriander, which I then turn into a fried chicken curry. When I eat it with rice, the satisfaction is indescribable. Each bite is a moment of bliss, and I genuinely think, “This is the best chicken and rice I’ve ever had.” And maybe it is! It’s better than the most expensive meals I’ve had at restaurants.

Looking back at the buffet experience, I can’t recall ever having that "wow" moment with any of the dishes. As I mentally revisited the meal, I realized none of the dishes were bad, but nothing truly stood out either. The problem? There was just too much going on. With every bite, I moved on to the next dish before I could even process the flavor of the previous one. My mind was constantly jumping from one item to the next, never allowing me to fully appreciate any single dish.

Everything was good, yes. But with a buffet, you don’t get the chance to savor anything because you’re overwhelmed by the sheer variety. The constant switching from one taste to another dulls your appreciation.

Here’s what I suggest: cook something simple, or have someone cook it for you. Focus on one or two well-prepared dishes. When you take that first bite, pay attention to how you feel. If it’s really good, you’ll feel that "wow" moment. And with each subsequent bite, you’ll eagerly anticipate the next, knowing it’ll be just as delicious.

Now, compare that to a buffet. While you’re chewing one dish, your mind is already wandering to the next option which may not even be as good!

At the buffet, when I was eating one piece of chicken, I was already eyeing another variety. I wasn’t fully enjoying the dish in front of me, unlike when I cook for myself at home. That’s the buffet experience—too much choice dilutes the enjoyment.

So, I have to agree with my girlfriend. When you have too many options, it’s hard to genuinely enjoy any one dish.

By the way, this insight applies to more than just food.