‘Felt like a punch in the gut’: Asian chilli crunch makers including from Malaysia hit back at Momofuku’s trademark application

‘Felt like a punch in the gut’: Asian chilli crunch makers including from Malaysia hit back at Momofuku’s trademark applicationA publicity shot for Momofuku chili crisp. Celebrity chef David Chang’s culinary empire has applied to trademark “chili crunch” in the United States, angering small producers. some of whom have received cease-and-desist letters from its lawyers. - Photo: Momofuku

Michelle Tew of Homiah Foods holds a jar of her chilli crisp . She says hers is based on a Nyonya family recipe dating back “countless generations” in Penang, Malaysia. - Photo: Instagram@homiahfoods “I was shocked and disappointed that a well-known and respected player in the Asian food industry would legally threaten me – a one-woman show operating on a much smaller scale – from selling a product that is part of my family’s history and culture.”

While not marketed as chili crisp, China’s Lao Gan Ma is its most well-known predecessor ; it was created in 1984 by Huabi Tao, whose face graces each label. The well-loved formula is a mix of soybeans, chili, peanuts, onion and other flavourings. Gao previously made an attempt to trademark her signature Sichuan chili crisp in June 2019. The UTSPO refused the application in August that year, on the grounds that “Sichuan chili crisp” was merely a descriptive term.Meanwhile, Rice Market, a grocery store based in Washington and specialising in Asian provisions, declared that it will no longer sell Momofuku products at its store.

Tew, who learned to cook from her Malaysian grandmother, chose to call her product “Sambal Chili Crunch”, as sambal, which typically includes ingredients such as chillies, shrimp paste, garlic and palm sugar, is not widely known outside of Southeast Asia and she needed to find a way to explain it to a foreign audience.

Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

U-23 Asian Cup: Malaysia keen to create victory despite underdog status, says coach Juan TorresKUALA LUMPUR, April — The national Under-23 (U-23) football squad plans to do their best against Uzbekistan in their first match of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)...
Source: malaymail - 🏆 1. / 86 Read more »

Malaysia, other SE Asian countries ‘woefully off track’ on green investment, says global consultancy BainSINGAPORE, April 15 — South East Asia is “woefully off track” on green investments to reduce emissions and needs new policies and financial mechanisms to help bridge the gap,...
Source: malaymail - 🏆 1. / 86 Read more »

Malaysia Becomes Second Most Popular South-east Asian Country for Chinese Real Estate BuyersReal estate in Malaysia is now Chinese buyers’ second most popular South-east Asian country, an improvement from third place in 2022, according to data released by IQI.
Source: malaymail - 🏆 1. / 86 Read more »

Silk Road and Asian Civilisation Forum will boost Malaysia-China ties, says Dr WeeHong Kong singer and actor Stephanie Lai Ming-sze, who had several popular Cantopop hits in the 1990s, passed away today (March 28) at the age of 58, according to Chinese media reports.
Source: staronline - 🏆 4. / 75 Read more »

McDonald's Malaysia Drops Its RM6 Million Defamation Suit Against BDS MalaysiaThe company said it firmly condemns all forms of violence.
Source: saysdotcom - 🏆 9. / 63 Read more »

McDonald’s Malaysia Withdraws RM6 Million Lawsuit, BDS Malaysia Says “Not Surprised”Azmir Jaafar expressed hope that today's decision will allow all parties to move forward and focus on finding a resolution that upholds justice.
Source: therakyatpost - 🏆 14. / 59 Read more »