Momofuku taking heat for trying to trademark 'chili crunch'

Lawyers for Momofuku, founded by celebrity chef David Chang, sent cease-and-desist letters to smaller companies over use of the term, despite its prevalence in recipes and various cuisines.
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[@corazonazultw]

What's next? Trademark soy sauce or vinegar?

[@hayleymariemills]

Or vinaigrette?!

[@TheChefsGirlfriend]

This makes me sick!! Just shows how stupid and greedyyyyyyy these people are! It’s not like Henz how dumb do they think people are!!

[@denisedtd]

Momofuku's response is a bunch of gibberish words that means absolutely 0.

[@JohnVC]

For real. It's like if I hit you with my car and then I release a statement "my intent was never to hit you, nor was it to stifle your ability to walk"...

[@CookJunkie]

It's all bunch of lawyer talk.

[@oshwaflz]

i dont like david chang, ive heard horrible things from ex momofuku employees BUT I thought in order to hold a trademark in court you MUST defend it. and chili crunch isnt the foods name. Its chili crisp. This doesnt seem like his fault. Its almost like calling your cookie Oreo and then someone else making O-reos instead of calling it chocolate cream cookies or something and when youre forced (by american law) to prosecute or risk losing trademark, the public blames you? Im more than willing to be proven wrong though

[@tuandang2947]

I lost my respect for David

[@brandon9327]

So basically chili crunch is from China, created by the people there, he shouldn’t personalize it.

[@ibuyufo]

I'll make sure not to dine at any Momofuku restaurant. That is Fuku up for sure!

[@psychtank8681]

Get outta here 😂😂

[@littlehomeforest5972]

Same. What a nasty person David C is. Trying to squeeze out small business owners. Foul play.

[@jacobmecrob5185]

you tell 'em.

[@shainatrotter7481]

momofuku is already a well recognized trademarked name, they dont deserve to own chili crunch theyre not the first to make it

[@Bluetangg]

They are the first to use it. It's chili crisp. He started the idea of 'crunch'. These other companies are playing on his success just like lots of imitators. Additionally his company is not big. He's not the 'BIG' corporate monster.

[@VoiceOfReason5487]

@@Bluetangg They are not the first to use it. Chang is "playing on the success" of Lau Gon Ma's fried chili products, which have been around long before his chili crisp.

[@Vid_da1792]

To be honest, he even steal the name Momokufu, which is the Japanese name of the inventor of instant noodles and founder of Nissin.

[@johnc3525]

@@Bluetangg I don't care, I'll boycott anyway.

[@Kaimax61]

@@Bluetangg First to use? BULLSHIT.

[@rohanxdavis]

I find it strange that a chef with a Korean background is trying to own the name to a chinese recipe. Thats like me trying to own the word sushi while sending cease and desist letters to japanese places, but im not even japanese! 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@leelee71]

The Asian American doing the American Thing and colonizing Asian food by trademarking it. Wtf.

[@KarenPatrol123]

Exactly like trying to trademark ketchup or mustard. Chile or chili crunch has been around. That chef just gave it a name and made it main stream. Ridiculously greedy.

[@charliem6335]

@@alexiascher4949 OK knucklehead, which one are you; Larry, Moe or Curly?

[@isweartofuckinggod]

He's not even the one who made it mainstream. In America, at least, most people call it Lao Gan Ma after the brand that actually brought it here.

[@KarenPatrol123]

@@isweartofuckinggod I said what I said!!!

[@neverletmego6414]

Trademarking chili crunch is like trademarking 'ketchup', 'ranch', 'honey mustard'

[@hhch2]

I'm going to trademark the name "David Chang." Wait for my lawyers' cease and desist letters, so-called celebrity chef "David Chang."

[@puppydoge2322]

Nothing about him is original. Even the name Momofuku was stolen from the inventor of instant noodles Momofuku Ando

[@ustruthfullyspeaking]

I will not buy or support bullies like this chef. No more Momofuku Chili Crunch in my home or business.

[@hayleymariemills]

He is ridiculous. What he's doing is the equivalent of someone trying to trademark "vinaigrette", something that's been made FOREVER and now he wants to suddenly stop people from calling it that or he will sue them!

[@RudieObias]

I guess I should trademark “Chilly Krunch” myself 🤔

[@hayleymariemills]

"It's like trying to own the word 'Heinz'"... Thats is an absolutely absurd argument! 'Heinz' is a brand name and his brand name is apparently "Momofuku"! That is a ridiculous argument!

[@allenkim5082]

He is of Korean nationality

[@jujub4553]

Hahaha it’s national news now greedy David Chang. You done goofed!

[@soowo5942]

In China It's called lajiao you, or pepper oil. The brand Lao ganma is one of best brands in the world from guizhou province China. It's a basic ingredient like salt, soybean sauce. How can anyone allowed to own it? It's more than crazy.

[@VoiceOfReason5487]

I'll stick with Lau Gon Ma's chili crisp anyway, it's a lot cheaper. Or I often make my own.

[@bamantioindrahidayat1165]

You crossed the line that should be seen in the first thing

[@MrSparkula]

This is a scumbag move.

[@Fulgum]

If you’re in CA, David Chang also owns Major Domo in the LA area.

[@nancyk8153]

Asian in Houston have been boycotting Momofuku brand all week. You can't trademark chili oil, ketchup or mustard. Therefore you CANNOT trademark chili crunch/crisp.

[@dullhk]

First he stole the name Momofuku (the inventor of modern instant noodles).Now, chili crunch. What’s next?

[@707Berto]

Boycott Momofuku!!!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

The tallest jar on the desk is from China, the most popular sauce in mainland China. Google the picture on the bottle and tell me what you think?😅

[@charliem6335]

Its like trademarking tamales. Try that and it will not be good for you. Btw, I have been eating chili crunch for decades and never even heard of this guy.😮 😮😮

[@alexiascher4949]

No, you have not!!! You have been eating "chile crisp" or "chile oil"...lol

[@theemporium5899]

This is ridiculous. What happened to letting a product speak for itself. A trade mark to chili crunch is a low ball way to say 'I'm the best because I bought the name'

[@ranielm2024]

I hope no one patronizes his product and his restaurant(s). Then he'll feel the backlash.

[@ptg01]

Such a BULLY ! I would boycott David Chang, period.

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

Peanut butter trademark.

[@meeky0420]

It’s official I’m not purchasing that brand crisp. I’ll definitely remember this when getting another jar. Totally unfair for him to do that.

[@coolcomments156]

I am going to trade mark bananas

[@sarabeth8050]

"Chili Crunch" is basically a rip-off of the famous "Chili Crisp".

[@Icecold0505]

Surprised he didn’t trademark Lao Gan Ma also

[@stephenpatterson8056]

They've walked it all back but the damage is done. I'll never buy any Chang's products or support any of his businesses again

[@ochardkeo9458]

Heinz is a brand or company, chili crunch is a condiment.

[@hippiehillape]

I'm gonna trademark sea salt.

[@mebefatboy7688]

Really, is "Captain Crunch" equivalent to "Chili/e Crunch" since one is a product and the other a description??? US and trademarks, really what the fck??? David owns “chile crunch” but not “chili crunch” so now Momo-fuk-u gets to decide if they wanna enforce it from now on based on a vowel??? Someone grab "chiley", "chiliy" and even "chilly" (which actually i can imagine a character for)... but could be easier just to add more "L"s in the spelling LOL

[@3starskiwi]

Bad PR move, Chang.

[@why25why]

Reminds me of Bikram trying to trademark yoga poses.

[@peterphan227]

Total greed and bullying, momofuku! Never going to buy any of your products again.

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

I literally stopped buying his stuff. Such a horrible move in the long run.

[@eddibetty10]

I just call it chili oil

[@beatpirate8]

my family moved on. we are NOT ok with this patent. chili sauces are traditionally made by many homes. we buy chili from neighborhood aunties in zip lock bags . this is NOT OK

[@Vid_da1792]

This David Chang is full of schemes , he even steal the name Momokufu, which is the Japanese name of the inventor of instant noodles and founder of Nissin.

[@tiffanykoma4120]

Any cooks calls it crunch not crisp. In all the cooking shows I watch it's referred to as crunch not crisp.

[@suite225]

Let’s start trademark-ing everyday things from now on. Dibs on TOY and TOYS 😂 Never heard of the brand. Now, I’ll probably won’t.

[@stevencuenca481]

Good to know

[@samanthaoreilly9196]

Momofuku acting like taylor swift

[@deaconddd]

Isn’t Chili Crunch a descriptor like Black Pepper? How could you trademark that?

[@zzizahacallar]

Yeah his Asian line is overpriced. I enjoy getting my products at an Asian market for less

[@leelee71]

Tbh i didnt even know he had products out. Why would i buy stuff sold by an Asian American if i can get actual condiments/imgredients from the motherlands? A celebrity chef junk will always come 2nd for me.

[@leenavoradeth9347]

It’s double the price of other brands at Kroger. Is it any good?

[@lianggong2274]

Court should order a huge fine against this greedy.

[@existential_]

Never even heard of chili crunch or crisp before. Known it as chili oil for the longest time.

[@drkphinx]

Hienz? Trade mark momofuku. WTH?

[@timothysem6406]

We're willing to trade DAVID CHANG from the ASIAN COMMUNITY for a piece of gum. Warning: He might trademark GUM

[@pgee8702]

If you all didn't know Lou Ga Ma didnt want to trademark this at all and wanted all to make their own interpretation of this product, Note that they were one of the first company to bring this to the global market...Momo is lucky that Lou Ga Ma didnt turn around and sue him as they are a publicly traded company and have the funds to blow him away legally...I bet that there was some "discussion" from Lou Ga Ma about this issue...

[@rouenyu]

Some stupid US law. How the heck you can trademark something common?

[@user-db1mo7gp8k]

how about trademark "KOREA" and "KOREAN",then they need to change the name of its country

[@thatonescrambler]

Wasnt that a running back for the new york giants? I forget his name

[@CCMezcal]

The government of Mexico did this with "mezcal". The solution is to keep calling it chill crunch.

[@_ac_7649]

its getting to be chili crispulous

[@O._Si]

How is David Chang’s trademarking “Chili Crunch” more despicable than the trademarking of “Sriracha” that has been present in Thailand since before the birth of the Vietnamese man who appropriated it?

[@nancyk8153]

he's going to try siracha next.....

[@keepleft]

What would Anthony Bourdain think about this?

[@JohnVC]

I'm going to trademark "water", so you guys are going to need to use a different word from here on out. ✌️

[@thecookingshorts]

who the hell actually names it chili crunch tho? lol might as well trademark chili oil LOL

[@ChadBray]

Never heard of it, gotta try it.

[@gavinng643]

This guy is way over his head. His grossly overpriced noodles are literally packed with salt which will sure give you a heart attack.

[@user-qy3gq4wj7h]

As an Asian-American, I want nothing but success for him. HOWEVER, lately, David has been arrogant, smug, and a bully. He was whining about COSTCO not having a shopping bag. Duh, it is based wholesale concept, it is what used to be called "Cash and Carry." What is he going to do to trademark Soysause?

[@dullhk]

Chef or Thief ?

[@gerlalu6647]

Greed, that is what it's all about, shame

[@gerport1]

Crazy sad man

[@mebefatboy7688]

I may be giving away millions here but... "chile/chili Snap", ""chile/chili Crackle" and "chile/chili Pop" LOL

[@tonyh7158]

I should try trademark spicy kimchi or Hot Kimchi.

[@jennyy6606]

Greedy and ridiculous 🙄

[@kylorokx1552]

Wow. Its ridiculous

[@allen0101011]

sounds like a thief

[@johnwitman8171]

"Pass me the chilli crunch" his grandma said to his grandfather at the dinner table, the night they made it

[@B.H90]

His spicy oil sauce also has MSG ... I thought a chef at that level would not use this cheating to enhance the flavor, not to mention his already charging premium for the name ,

[@lindalately]

Nonsense

[@darthaure1463]

대이빋 이놈 미첬내

[@spasticjackson9578]

haaaaaaaaaaaaa ok

[@nethvirusenanayake4161]

Wooo❤❤

[@katesees1527]

Not a wise call but glad he fixed it. I respected him as I first learned about him on the Millionaire show being the first celebrity to ever won the million dollars, and he donated it all to charity. He’s a good man.

[@JaZzYJR3]

🕊️😔😔

[@taytrong]

@davidchang is a predictable coward.

[@szhinkoszhinko5006]

greed

[@FFLapin]

Just lost all respect for David Chang.

[@littlehomeforest5972]

People should boycott Momofuku and it's products. What a nasty businessman.

[@seaoxsushi]

Boycott momofuku

[@ropro9817]

David Chang 👎

[@codenameeaglecooldown900]

Trademark is created to gain more innovations not closing it

[@Fred-yd9md]

I can feel the heat next morning 💩

[@joonwhanchoi7653]

No one said there wasn't history to chili oil with crisps. David added his own 'crunch' to his and named it differently and people copied him. Now, they're mad and used social media to gang up on him. End of story.

[@Mrpandabear24]

Remember asians are not allowed to own trademarks without critisim from other asians.

[@sec0ndton0ne408]

That stuff taste horrible regardless

[@Bluetangg]

Don't agree with most of these comments. Chang's company is not some big corporation like Amazon, Conoco, Beatrice, Pepsi Co. And he is using his unique 'crunch' name not 'crisp' which is the generic word. These other companies are hoping to confuse their brands with his and rise above the others. They are riding off his success. He's not undermining theirs. They need to come up with a snappy name on their own. Also his brand is kind of expensive, whereas other chili crisps are just as good but cost less.

[@straightjacket510]

yet he went after the small business first

[@haoend]

If you read other comments, Chang has sent cease and desist letters to companies manufacturing well before he gained the patent. There was also a pbs segment talking about this. None of the other companies seek patents because it is a commonly used term. Unfortunately, Crisp/crispy, crunch/crunchy are also interchangeable in our esl. My opinion, it’s pretty dirty, sucks to be a lesser known entity

[@siewheilou399]

Crunch is not unique.

[@leelee71]

A company was using chile crunch first. Then momofuku got a CAD letter from them, so momo bought thw rights to use chile crunch. They are not inventors of the term. They should of stopped that shit right there.

[@luciboras]

this is f***

[@Bbanjahk]

David Chang is embarrassing

[@keikei3301]

Evil