"It probably tastes good"
In 1999, when I was in the first grade, my mom would pack my favorite dried seaweed snacks as a healthy alternative to the sugary, oily, or starchy foods most kids ate.
On the first day of school, when the lunch bell rang, 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 hottest topic, but not in a good way. A chorus of "Ew, what is that?" spread 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 scheming 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 chaos 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 classmates looked intrigued, while others kept their faces of disgust. For me, it didn’t matter anymore—I knew I had just made my first friend. 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 wasn’t just about food—it was about new experiences and the willingness to embrace them. What once seemed unfamiliar became exciting, and a simple act of curiosity turned into connection. Today, I get a kick out of seeing kids happily munching on seaweed snacks in grocery stores—a sight that once seemed impossible.
That’s the power of umami—a flavor that transcends borders, sneaks up on you, and makes you crave more. For decades, American and global flavors have been seen as separate, but the truth is, those boundaries are imaginary.
Food has always been a shared language, a way to bring out the best of who we are. The future isn’t about choosing one tradition over another—it’s about paving a new path forward, a new cuisine that reflects our shared values and opens up fresh, exciting possibilities.
That’s why I started Nori’s Story—to bring bold, umami-packed flavors to the table and challenge everything you think you know about food. Because if a kid can go from lunchroom exile to snack king, imagine what we can do with food when we stop playing by outdated rules.
We’re starting with our Hero Sauce.
What’s your story?
