Wonderfully informative piece, but the only thing I need to know about Momofuku's line of condiments is their bullying legal tactics aimed at frightening small Asian-American producers out of business. Trademarking "chili crunch" is basically demanding rent for something you didn't own to start with.
I feel like it might also just be time. Momofuku was a complete revelation when it opened, Ssam and Ko expanded on it's ethos. Every restaurant in every mid-to-large size city is at least a little bit like Mofofuku and it's ilk.
Which means that it's not as novel as it was. Maybe it's time to rest of the brand, sell some dang soy sauce and let the next generation step up. It's like an aging punk band- At what point does it stop being cool?
I’ve felt for many years now that Anthony Bourdain, who helped champion David Chang in a big way in the early years, would be highly disappointed and have choice words for David’s decisions and changes to the Momofuku empire.
Perhaps you should also pay attention to how he conducted his business and where were his incentives. A significant chunk of the brand equity of the restaurants accrued to David in the form of his media business (separate entity and ownership from the restaurant group). In other words, the restaurants for a while best served as useful advertisements for himself. This may point to why other restaurants had more lasting power than his own.
lol still laughing at the McKinsey line but hey venture debt isn’t free... also i remember that Ko review and how your excitement leaped off the page, it made me feel momentarily sheepish about my own respect for Keller 👏🏾
I like the noodles 😬
i miss the expensive black truffle ramen lol!
Wonderfully informative piece, but the only thing I need to know about Momofuku's line of condiments is their bullying legal tactics aimed at frightening small Asian-American producers out of business. Trademarking "chili crunch" is basically demanding rent for something you didn't own to start with.
I feel like it might also just be time. Momofuku was a complete revelation when it opened, Ssam and Ko expanded on it's ethos. Every restaurant in every mid-to-large size city is at least a little bit like Mofofuku and it's ilk.
Which means that it's not as novel as it was. Maybe it's time to rest of the brand, sell some dang soy sauce and let the next generation step up. It's like an aging punk band- At what point does it stop being cool?
I’ve felt for many years now that Anthony Bourdain, who helped champion David Chang in a big way in the early years, would be highly disappointed and have choice words for David’s decisions and changes to the Momofuku empire.
Perhaps you should also pay attention to how he conducted his business and where were his incentives. A significant chunk of the brand equity of the restaurants accrued to David in the form of his media business (separate entity and ownership from the restaurant group). In other words, the restaurants for a while best served as useful advertisements for himself. This may point to why other restaurants had more lasting power than his own.
lol still laughing at the McKinsey line but hey venture debt isn’t free... also i remember that Ko review and how your excitement leaped off the page, it made me feel momentarily sheepish about my own respect for Keller 👏🏾