David Chang’s Momofuku backs down in chilli crunch trademark row after backlash
- The US celebrity chef drew fire after his brand sent cease-and-desist letters to small Asian-American-run businesses selling spicy condiments with similar names
- The online outcry sparked a debate over whether Momofuku – or anyone – should be able to own the trademark for the generic sounding product
Momofuku, a food and restaurant brand started by food mogul David Chang, said it will not defend its trademark on the name “chile crunch” after it sparked an outcry by sending cease-and-desist letters to other businesses using the term.
Momofuku started selling its Chili Crunch product in 2020, a crunchy spicy oil with dried peppers and other ingredients like sesame seeds and garlic. It is a riff on Chinese condiment chilli crisp and other similar products from other countries.
Different variations of chilli crisp and other hot sauces have gained popularity in the US in recent years.
Momofuku acquired the trademark for the name “chile crunch” from Chile Colonial in 2023. While Momofuku holds the trademark for “chile crunch”, spelled with an “e”, it also claims “common law” rights to “chili crunch” with an “i” and has filed for similar trademark status with the US Patent Office for that spelling, which is still pending.
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In March, Momofuku sent seven cease-and-desist letters to companies that were calling their product “Chili Crunch” or “Chile Crunch”. Most of the companies that received the letter were small brands founded by Asian-Americans.
As first reported by The Guardian on April 4, several of the companies took to social media to complain the letters were unfair, particularly since most of the brands are small and David Chang and Momofuku are so well known in the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.