"It probably tastes good"
In 1999, when I was in the first grade, my mom packed my favorite dried seaweed snacks as a healthy alternative to the sugary, oily, starchy foods most kids ate.
On the first day of school, I settled into the bustling cafeteria, unzipped my lunchbox, and started munching away, blissfully unaware that I was about to become a social outcast via snack selection.
Within moments, my seaweed became the cafeteria’s hot topic, but not in a good way. A chorus of "Ew, what is that?" rippled across the lunch tables like I had just unveiled an alien life form. Embarrassed and near tears, I shoved my snacks into my backpack, already plotting how to convince my mom to buy me potato chips so I could blend in with the other kids.
Then, out of nowhere, a classmate hushed the crowd and said, "It probably tastes good." The room went silent. He gestured for a piece. After one bite, his eyes lit up and he immediately proclaimed his delight. Some kids looked intrigued, while others kept their faces of disgust. I didn't care. I knew I had just made my first friend. A Hero.
In the weeks that followed, he begged to trade his potato chips for my seaweed snacks, and I always happily obliged.
Looking back, I realize that moment was not just about food. It was about the willingness to embrace new experiences. What was once unfamiliar became exciting, and a simple act of curiosity turned into connection.
For decades, American and global flavors have been treated as separate, but those boundaries are imaginary. That realization is why I started Nori’s Story. To write a new chapter, turn the page on outdated traditions, and bring umami-packed flavors to the table while challenging everything you think you know about food.
Today, I get a kick out of seeing kids across the country eagerly munching on seaweed snacks, something that once felt impossible. That is the power of umami. It transcends borders, catches you by surprise, and makes you crave more.
If seaweed snacks could take me from lunchroom loser to trendsetter, imagine what we can create when we stop following outdated rules.
We are starting with our Umami Sauce.
What's your story?
