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Nineteen years ago, the Lee family opened Teriyaki Plus in Bothell. The small fast-casual restaurant sat next to a 7-Eleven and built a loyal following over the years for its excellent take on the classic teriyaki dishes. But in February 2020, Teriyaki Plus suddenly closed, catching longtime customers by surprise. The closure also blindsided the two elder Lees and their three daughters, leaving them without the jobs, space, and community around which their lives centered.
In January 2021, the Lees opened their new restaurant, Tá Jóia, just across the street, bringing back old favorites in a modern new cafe space and an expanded menu of foods from the family’s own culture their Korean heritage and Yoo-Mi’s time spent in Brazil. Inspired by what the Lees eat at home, Tá Jóia allows the cook and matriarch to show off her culinary talent with everything from pico de gallo to kimchi fried rice. “It’s my mom on a plate,” says her oldest daughter, Vivian.