Living in Hawaii, while enjoying tropical fruits and hearty local food is great, I find myself more obsessed with a simple vegetable that makes my body feel comfortable.

For me, that vegetable is onion.

If my fridge isn't stocked with plenty of onions, I feel uneasy, so I always make sure to grab them first when I go grocery shopping.

It's great to toss them into meat dishes or use them for broth, but what I love most is a very thinly sliced 'onion salad.'

This is my secret weapon for overcoming Hawaii's hot and humid weather, and many friends ask me for the recipe.

The method is incredibly simple.

First, slice the onion as thinly as possible and soak it in cold water for a bit. You want to remove the spiciness completely, but just enough to keep a bit of crunch and its unique sharpness.

After shaking off the excess water, add vinegar, a little garlic juice, a spoonful of cooking sugar, and some chopped green onion.

My secret ingredient is fish sauce. Just a tiny drop changes the depth of flavor completely.

You might think, "Fish sauce in a salad?" at first, but if you add just the right amount, it enhances the umami flavor.

Even without a drop of oil, it has a strangely addictive taste that keeps you coming back for more.

On a Hawaii afternoon when I don't have much of an appetite, I can make a big plate of this instead of rice, and it leaves me feeling light and cleansed.

It's great alongside rich foods, but even on its own, it makes for a wonderful meal.

In fact, my insistence on eating onions also has to do with health concerns.

As I get older, I can't ignore discussions about blood pressure and circulation. It's common knowledge now that the components in raw onions help soften blood vessels and purify the blood.

Especially in a place like Hawaii, where outdoor activities are abundant, good circulation is really important, and I definitely feel lighter since I started eating onions regularly.

Of course, onions aren't a cure-all, but I think, "It's a hundred times better than not eating them," and now they've become a part of my daily life. Believing that this simple ingredient, which I never tire of eating, protects my blood vessels makes it taste even better.

People around me think that living in Hawaii means eating acai bowls or mangoes every day, but the happiness that a simple onion brings me is much greater.

In the end, the food I carefully prepare with my own hands takes the best care of my body, more than fancy dining out.