Jane arrived in Bristol, Virginia with her family, suitcases, and a dream. As a child growing up in a coastal city in China, her mother would always prepare delicious seafood and Asian cuisine for their family. As a little girl, she believed that cooking and serving food was the greatest way to bring happiness and fulfillment to others. The idea of opening a restaurant had lingered in her mind for years.

In her second year of graduate school at Virginia Tech, she decided to drop out to pursue my dream of owning a restaurant. With limited savings and the endless support of her family, she found that a Japanese restaurant was up for sale, and she loved it instantly. She'd name her restaurant Ocean Samurai. The name reflected the depth and complexity of flavors she wanted to bring to her customers, to let them taste not just food but the rich traditions of another culture.

Some people didn’t understand why she, not being Japanese, was passionate about the cuisine. She’d explain with a laugh, "Food knows no nationality! Japanese food taught me patience, precision, and respect for ingredients. I want to share that with you."

Years later, she would reflect on her decision to open Ocean Samurai and realize that it had been more than a career move. It was her way of saying, “I belong here too.”

Go Hokies!