"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, and 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?" 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 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 crowd and announced, "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. For me, it didn’t matter anymore—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 wasn’t solely 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 seen as separate, but the truth is, those boundaries are imaginary. That’s why I started Nori’s Story—to write a new chapter and turn the page on outdated traditions, bringing umami-packed flavors to the table and challenging everything you think you know about food.
Today, I get a kick out of the fact that kids across the country are eagerly munching on seaweed snacks, something that once seemed impossible. That’s the power of umami—a flavor that transcends borders, sneaks up on you, and makes you crave more.
If seaweed snacks can turn me from lunchroom loser to trendsetter, imagine everything we can do when we stop playing by outdated rules.
We’re starting with our Hero Sauce.
What’s your story?
