“I was the first college graduate in the family.” That single sentence says a great deal about Lillian Vergin and the life that eventually led her to Veggie House. Long before she became the owner of one of Salt Lake City’s beloved vegetarian restaurants, she was growing up in Orani, Bataan, in the Philippines, one of twelve children in a hardworking family.

"Ramen was born in China, grew up in Japan, and died in America." Hiro Tagai chuckles as he recalls a conversation with his cousin that has stuck with him ever since. But for Hiro and Felipe Oliveira, ramen is very much alive, and they have made it their mission to share its true essence with the world through Koyote, their dream restaurant.