David Chang Says Guy Fieri Checked on His Mental Health During Chili Crunch Controversy — Despite Their Old Beef

Mar. 15, 2025

David Chang says Guy Fieri reached out to him during chili crunch controversy.Photo:Cindy Ord/Getty; Vivien Killilea/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty; Vivien Killilea/Getty

David Changfound himself in hot water over chili in 2024 — but found some support in unlikely places.

The Momofuku restaurant founder spoke about his recent controversy on the latest episode ofFood & Wine’s podcastTinfoil Swans. The episode dropped on Tuesday, Aug. 6 but was recorded live at the 2024Food & WineClassic in Aspenin June.

Host Kat Kinsman was quick to ask the 2006Food & WineBest New Chef winner about the backlashhe faced after trademarking “chili crunch.”Chang explained that he was willing to answer questions, within some parameters.

“It’s hard for me to talk about because, there’s some things that I can’t talk about legally, but that’s not it, either. I’m really afraid of talking about something that will be misconstrued or misunderstood,” the father of two said. “And again, at this point, I could say anything. I just know that people may never believe me. So part of me’s like, ‘What am I supposed to f—ing say?’”

In March, lawyers forChang’scompany sent cease-and-desist letters to food brands using the terms “chili crunch” and “chile crunch” on their product labels.The Guardian, which first shared the news on April 4, reported that the letters requested that the brands promptly omit their use of the phrases.

Momofuku chili crunch.Momofuku/Target

Momofuku/Target

The recipients shared their anger online in April. Michelle Tew, the founder ofHomiah,describedreceiving the Momofuku note as a “punch in the gut.”BarbiestarSimu Liu, and chief content officer forMìLà, said Momofuku was “bullying businesses” after the frozen dumpling company received a letter.

Just eight days after the article fromThe Guardianwas published, Chang went on hisDavid Chang Showand said that hiscompany would not seek further action.

“The last thing I ever wanted to be was to be seen as an enemy to the AAPI community," Chang told Kinsman onTinfoil Swans, “which makes me intensely sad since I really have sort of spent my career trying to put it on a platform that is positive.”

He continued, “The last thing I want to do is seem to be an impediment or putting a cap on small businesses. The way we looked at it is we are also a small business because there were some people being sent [cease-and-desist letters] that were significantly larger than us or have raised more money than us or do bigger sales than us.”

David Chang and his wife Grace.Inhar Photography

“One of the first people who called me during this whole stuff the past couple months wasGuy [Fieri],” Chang said, adding that it was “not just one or two” calls. “It was multiple follow-ups to make sure that I was in a good place mentally. It’s funny how it all works out sometimes.”

Back in 2009, Chang had shaded theDiners, Drive-Ins and Divesstar’s fashion while speaking on a New York Wine & Food Festival panel alongsideAnthony Bourdain.

“I made fun of his shades and his look," recalled Chang. “You know, at those times, you don’t think about how you can hurt someone’s feelings and that they are sort of above it all. And even back then, Guy was massive. So you just don’t think it’s going to hurt somebody’s feelings until you find out that it does.”

source: people.com