A nonlinear wave mixing system with grating assisted phase matching is provided. The system includes a pump laser and a nonlinear waveguide. The pump laser is used to generate pump light at a select wavelength. The nonlinear waveguide is configured to generate produced light from the pump light that is directed into the nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide includes at least one backward grating that is configured to diffract the produced light in a backward direction relative to a direction the produced light travels in the nonlinear waveguide to reach the backward grating. The backward grating having a grating momentum that generates counter-propagating phase matching in the produced light.