Fresh, Complex, Vegan-friendly: Mukilteo's Nori Teriyaki
A mother-son team in Mukilteo has delicious Chinese and Japanese options for vegans and meat-eaters alike.
There's a tiny strip mall in Mukilteo that has the best vegan teriyaki you've never heard of. This is their story.
Shortly after owner Judy Kim took over at Nori Teriyaki three years ago, she was introduced to plant-based cooking by her son Jacob, who'd recently gone vegan. She loved the food, and realized vegans were an ever-growing customer base who deserved more options than rice, steamed vegetables, and french fries.
![](https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15b64242510343ea70b6613a27b8672c 320w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=39f78233fc8364d8e22b9ca1a517e648 540w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=83e01f84bae5f44d391aa292e2eb5fab 768w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=26fdb1e5eaab749bc60430758a8870d0 1024w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7a4fcaed3a70e00e995063eb00afb8b0 1200w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1391a96e8c7f5c4f8aa95a55014c4ba4 1440w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c975983a2a206bf6244e059e14bb801b 1920w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=04b26de831f25b5ace29e42e7f3bbdd4 2560w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101056.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=7f834e89333164fb65d7e0bb43733835 3840w)
Jacob moved from Maryland to help develop the vegan menu and run the restaurant, and together they've grown the business back up to pre-pandemic levels with more orders going out the door every week. Since they're obviously doing something right, I was excited to try one of their vegan options and asked them to pick for me. They brought me a very generous box of General Tao Tofu.
Tofu gets a bad rap because it takes a talented chef to cook it properly, and we've all eaten mediocre tofu. If you'd like to forget every wet, bland piece of tofu you ever ate, get this dish because they absolutely nailed it. It's sweet and spicy, and every bite has that perfect outer layer: a firm crust that holds onto the sauce without falling apart.
Their website says "ask about our specially made in-house spicy sauce if you’re feeling adventurous." I was, and did, so they also brought me the Spicy Chicken Teriyaki. Judy explained that the sauce is made in-house with fresh ginger, garlic, and more, so while my mouth burned a bit from doubling up on spicy entrees, I wasn't mad about it.
The chicken was expertly grilled to make it tender and chewy at once, with just enough char. Not overdone, just done correctly. Don't skip the standard teriyaki side salad it comes with; its dressing is the perfect complement to their spicy entrees.
It may sound silly, but I was most excited to try a vegan bubble tea. I've never seen a vegan option for milk teas before, which is odd because cafes generally have non-dairy options. Nori currently offers dairy, soy, and almond milk, and I drove home sipping a blended coconut/almond milk bubble tea. If I could order almond milk in every bubble tea from now on, I would; it has more body and makes the drink a heftier, satisfying treat.
![](https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=657dc116e8832deadc8f35e6d7adf043 320w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5302f46ec4b484a5aafcc669233d67fe 540w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2fb58eec5c310808e200ef006d960f86 768w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=670fd712a5b9c9a07a2c7fcfbb730bf5 1024w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=44a7e884fab44d086429dbc9d5d9c1f0 1200w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5d16675c9985185cbcbe964469954558 1440w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8dd036b7aff6c4032120b92024a3089e 1920w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=080752f841b0b2d6975d6facf317871e 2560w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/20210721_101344.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f99e53ae9627aa2f4a9f6bc87699eaa7 3840w)
Clearly, you don't have to be vegan to enjoy Nori Teriyaki, but if you are one or want to take one out, it's a wonderful option. Judy and Jacob will gladly tell you all about their food and even welcome your suggestions. The servings are enormous, so plan for leftovers or invite extra friends.
NORI TERIYAKI
(425) 290-7755
12502 Mukilteo Speedway UNIT 104, Mukilteo, WA 98275