Thanks, what an eye opener. I was told since young that MSG is bad for us and men will grow breasts if we consumed too much of it. All BS apparently. After watching this, I went out and bought for the first time a 200 gms pack of Ajinomoto and later sprinkle a bit of it into the eggs i was making for my mushroom omelette. I am returning here to say it taste damn good. Thanks you David for revealing the truth.

My grandmother's dining table had the usual salt and pepper shakers AND msg too... She lived up to 92.

Have you ever eaten at Japanese Restaurants? Many of their dishes especially sushi contain high amounts of MSG especially in soy sauce. Miso soup is extremely high in MSG because seaweed and katsuo bushi contain so much MSG without adding MSG crystals. If you have eaten pizza with cheese, tomato sauce, and with cured meats, and not experience headaches or any symptoms of MSG reaction, it tells you it is all in your head. Pizza has one of the highest amount of MSG in all foods.

I use MSG in my cooking but a really good cook will use a combo of things, for example we use Soy sauce and sugar, also using a Wok on a proper stove creates a maillard reaction that gives saltiness to a dish. We will then add MSG. A true chef will always add it at the end as it makes the wok stick when added.

Best thing about this is the comic sans font

Very informative. I recently tried a quick dry aged beef method that uses fish sauce. The whole process took 6 days and the steak was amazing. This presentation really explained to my why that worked.

The bad thing about MSG in Asian food that I've found in my experience is that I can't stop eating it until it's GONE, even if I'm full, because the food tastes _soooo_ good....

I too am a Chef and the sad thing is most people aren't aware is that MSG is added to a lot of every day commercial foods in the grocery stores. Like chips, frozen foods, various brands of seasonings, canned soups, condiments like catsup, mayonnaise, mustard...list goes on and on.

When our family went to our fave restaurant, 2 relatives asked for no MSG. When the waiter got to me, I asked for their MSG since they don't want it. If you have a headache after eating foods with MSG, you are not allergic, you just consumed too much fucking salt! Try drinking water instead of a 2 liter jug of Coke.

19:45 - The best Al Pacino impersonation I've ever heard

That's a thick sweaty boi!

Chinese food syndrome? What a fascinating term. From what I remember, one of the earliest wide-spread usage of MSG and its synthesis is from Japan. Whilst I do think excessive usage of MSG is disgusting and is an evidence of poor cooking skills, I do not think it is as harmful as many people think. MSG has been in numerous studies and many of them failed to show coherent link between MSG consumption and the negative symptoms. Few people think just because MSG is a form of protein-amino acid- and therefore can cause allergic reaction, again many studies failed to show concrete evidence of this.

I know right!

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall asking the first question! So cool.

Word. Woooooord.

Now, I can finally eat pork rinds. Thanks for the video!

19:46 Amen!!!

Some dishes taste more flavorful the next day. In our home my spouse makes “Dungaree Pie” and the flavor in riches over time. Is this because the glutamate increases over time also?

I think he's trying to stay composed without giving away to his emotions that he's feeling right now.

This is what Anthony Bourdain is talking about when he says in Medium Raw, there is DEEP FUCKING THINKING behind David Chang's cooking and food, and that the emails between him and various other cooks should be anthologized for the CIA or future generations of cooks and others.

is first question hugh from river cottage?

The msg is not the issue. It the amount. Some people are more sensitive to msg and salt. Just like anything else.

Heard of ppl saying they were allergic to it....I never saw how that was b/c its wasnt known well until recently (past 20 years lets say)

I love how people just hate MSG when they don't know much about it. It's actually one of the most used thing in food process, you have that in pretty much every chips.

I don't mind MSG, however i hate it when restaurants abuse it. For example, instead of flavoring a soup by using bones of pork, lamb, and chicken, people will use MSG instead.

Actually, I'm not surprised to find out that underneath the paranoia, it's just plain ignorance. Sad... ignorance is really to blame for many problems in the world. I heard that a lot of chefs are condoning the use of NaCl all over the world. It's been reported that people get thirsty in a strange way when they consume it larger quantities. It's just plain bizarre.

IM AN MSG USER IM ASIAN IM PROUD.

Spread truth!!!!!!

That first guy to ask Chang a question was Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, a Brtish Chef with loads of accolades. I would have expected him to be one to push back from Chang's lecture as he specializes in natural, farm raised produce and meat.

I think the real interesting question is: how much [quantified] msg is in natural foods like dashi, parma ham, parmesan or tomatoes? You can talk a lot about, if it is harmful or not and if it is natural occuring in natural food... I can't believe, that you can't extract as much MSG out of natural food, as a heavy handed "MSG cook" can put into his dish [which might also have additional natural occuring MSG].

The person that did not want to be the guinea pig really threw him off.

How do you account that there are so many Asian restaurants that don't use MSG?

interesting...

I guarantee if I give a person who says he or she is very sensitive to MSG, give that person a bowl of chow mein and a bowl of spaghetti with meatbals and parmesan cheesel on separate days. Complains of headaches or symptoms of MSG reactions and blames it on the chow mein will be in a for a rude awakening. A bowl or plate full of spaghetti with meatballs and parmesan cheese, both the exact same weight of the chow mein, will have more MSG than the chow mein. Insanely more.

God he bombed this. He's totally right though!

Where is your source?

I'm Asian, living in Asia, and I also cook. Saying that, I oppose to using msg. The reason is because yes, I do think it's unhealthy for my body, but most of all, harmful for my tastebuds. It's basically a trick. Of course, for a chef owning a restaurant, msg would be a gift that will push the flavours forwards and appeal to customers. Especially since real Asian broth requires a lot of ingredients, like my mother never uses msg but her food has enough 'umami',

Most fast food, including american style chinese food (general tso's, sweet and sour, etc.) has a LOT of salt and sugar in it. When mixed all together, it can taste good, but if you were to try and eat the equivalent amount of pure salt or sugar, you would be sick before you could finish. Those two things alone will make you feel "heavy" and lethargic. You are probably also overeating and not drinking enough water.

I love fucking food!!! period

17.32 hugh fearnley whittingstall!

Everyone else is so relaxed and mellow, why does David look like he's about to have a heart attack?

He's so fucking flustered lol is he high or tripping? No judgement, just take it easy man. Everyone's there to see you, they like you.

OK, I'm just going to say it...'cause it's been like, 8 years since anyone else has said it... Dude is sweating like he's in a Finnish sweat lodge. He's so nervous that I FEEL nervous watching him being nervous!

Ok mr.Chang let me ask you soething: For example you say tomatoes are full of glutamates and umami, why the hell do food companies add msg to tomatoe juices and sauces i see it all the time on the ingredient labels?

so it's impossible to get high blood pressure from too much MSG?

6:41 Answer: Sugar is bad

After bingeing on Uncle Roger and this show, l just went to the store and bought some Ajinomoto! Raised on it here in Hawaii then quit using it after all the hype. I just got back from the store and yip I bought a giant ass bag! haha, it was all they had. Aloha from Maui!

Have you considered that you're maybe just dehydrated from eating it?

Posted by Cerine Z(check below)- "It's basically a trick." Now ... basically, all you are tasting is the MSG attacking your taste buds. You ain't tasting the food and therefore don't know what different foods really taste like. That said, if you eat a lot of processed food, you're fighting from behind and might as well pour MSG on everything and call it food. I'm gonna try it now with an asphalt shingle. Taste plus fiber plus petroleum products, all in the same meal.

RIP Lucky Peach. It was amazing while it lasted.

My sister has little many strokes throws up and blacks out. She is definitely allergic to MSG. So how do you get the same taste without the MSG.

I use more msg than salt as it has about 12% sodium and salt about 40%

okay this was a really good vid and i respect David Chang a lot, but when that first question was asked, Dave totally seemed to be defending the side of adding msg salts into food.. even after saying specifically that he does not use the "crutch" form in his restaurant. I just dont get why he got so defensive over that question if he really doesnt use the salt form of msg.

As one of the persons that is very allergic to MSG, I would just ask that it be labeled properly as such. As it is, I can't eat anything with natural flavors, spices, hydrolyzed proteins, and several other masking names. I do get ocular migraines from doritos and other non-asian foods and was getting these migraines for 30 years before I made the correlation between MSG and my migraines, as they didn't hit me until about 8-12 hours after eating MSG. You say I am ignorant, I say you are. MSG causes many reactions like mine, weight gain, and stresses the pancreas by making it overproduce insulin. Google msgtruth

I think its fairly simple: its about balance. Adding msg to shitty food just to make it taste savory is stupid and u probably need a lot. Using little msg in already well made food to enhance the flavors and overall experience isn't bad or harmful. I believe that there are people who have tolerance issues with msg and cannot eat it - that sucks for them. But like in any allergy its just who the body reacts to it. We all eat lactose altho there are people with lactose intolerance (not an allergy btw) or we eat gluten altho there are people with gluten allergy ( yes its an allergy) . So we can eat msg altho there are ppl with this intolerance. Just find it out yourself.

Where is David Choe's speech about shitting.

My sister has always been allergic. She went to the ER for it. The Doctor has given her the allergy test and there is no doubt about it. She is allergic. But there are some Chinese places that don't have msg in there food. I would like to know what they use instead. I can eat msg just fine but she can't.

Some practical advice from a long-time MSG believer( conspiracy theorist),. If you're looking for MSG on your grocer's shelf, look for products that read "Food Enhancer", etc.... Most companies won't put MSG anywhere on their product, except in Ingredients list...

Because infants metabolise msg in a similar manner to adults, and therefore is not toxic to the human body. However, during pregnancy, the placental barrier stops msg from coming in contact with the unborn baby. MSG is not toxic when consumed but perinatal administration resulted in lesions of the central nervous system. This is valid scientific study conducted from the journal of nutrition.You're more than welcome to inject some into your blood and let me know how that works out for you =)

msg is addictive. try eating a whole bag of small fritos compared to the small bbq fritos which contains msg. The bottom of the bag is found much quicker with MSG. I love chef David Chang and i understand his presentation regarding prejudice in the culture of food. The ad campaign "Try Eating Just one Chip!" was based on the addictive nature to flavoring. Salt is already addictive. I teach this as a substitute teacher in low-income neighborhoods where the MSG is attached to the worst foods found at the corner store. Chef Chang is talking about naturally harnessing MSG which is a talent. This should not be compared to the chips that ad MSG that lead to health problems because of the high-sodium.

David seems like a great guy, but I didn't really learn anything from this vid.

This guy walks back and forth and doesn't speak with authority.

You're correct that we shouldn't eat careless amounts of MSG. Pretty much too much of everything can lead to some sort of health problem. I don't know what your definition of natural is, but MSG is a chemical that is found in nature and is vital to biological processes in living organisms. Also, eating a tablespoon of sugar equivalent to the same amount of sugar from fruits is digested the same way, as long as they are the same sugar, fructose.

does naturally occurring glutamic acid have sodium in it?because MSG does....i wonder what are the symptoms of high sodium(the other half of MSG) intake are

when u use MSG in substitute for your salt then yes it may be harmful just like anything else out of moderation. use MSG early in the seasoning stages of cooking/marinating. NOT AS A FINISHING GARNISH SALT. try Himalayan pink salt for stuff like that.

I think deliciousness of food needs no artifical flavor enhancers, but it needs fresh ingredietns for cooking and unspoiled taste buds plus positive mindsets and good health.

MSG synthetically made, many mixed ideas and also scientifically proven. If you try lit taste like salt and a little more...for me there’s a slight metallic after taste for it, and I kinda can taste it when added to food because of the after taste. If I take too much of this it has an dehydrating effect and I get thirsty... I didn’t mind eating food with MSG as I grew up in an environment that almost all restaurants, cafe, street food store uses it, until... I started to get eczema. Natural Umami like cheese...Parmesan cheese does make me thirsty but not to the same extent, I dont get dehydration effect on my skin.., tomatoes...yes so I eat that in moderation as I love sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and seaweed no reaction. Potato chips...can’t have too much maybe just a pack in a week but eating too much will result in eczema on my face...maybe its a myth but my reactions are very real, I just eat things in moderation and I’m good... I do try to avoid places that uses MSG Asian or Western but an occasional binge will not kill me...just have to make sure I hydrate well! Mind you i have had a steak at a restaurant that made me soooo thirsty too much MSG (I did check with the kitchen to confirm), taste is not the same as steak with sea salt...it is also why I avoid having any sauces with my steak when I go out to eat, just salt and pepper, i love my chips but these days more chips have chicken salt on it...when it does again I get very thirsty...but a clever chef made chips with seaweed... Thank you 🙏, I can Umami without having effects.

super sweaty!

so there is a stigma on msg that has been socially constructed in western palette

Naturally occurring MSG = good. Stuff that comes in a packet, made in a factory = bad.

Is he a chef or a sweat champion?

Glutamic acid is not the same as MSG. That's the problem. Your body doesn't process them the same.

I like the guy’s presentation and I appreciate the skeptical nature of his concern around “cultural myths” but he quickly made me raise my eyebrow when he said “I’m not an expert on MSG, but I have friends with doctorates who are”… to which my initial thought is of course “then why aren’t they presenting then? Why aren’t they writing or providing scientific papers to support these conclusions?” Unfortunately we do have new studies available to us now that weren’t available at his time 9-10 years ago: “In conclusion we would like to state that although MSG has proven its value as an enhancer of flavour, different studies have hinted at possible toxic effects related to this popular food-additive. These toxic effects include CNS disorder, obesity, disruptions in adipose tissue physiology, hepatic damage, CRS and reproductive malfunctions. These threats might have hitherto been underestimated.” - Source: “Extensive use of monosodium glutamate: A threat to public health?”, by Niaz, Zaplatic, and Spoor, EXCLI Journal, 2018

East "Asian" foods can be much saltier than western food. Salt dehydrates you, dehydration leads to headaches. Did I just figure it out?

He looks like me after a dose of msg

This presentation could have been delivered in about 1 minute.

Chinese food/restaurant in America =/= Food in China

That's not the Chinese food syndrome, it is the Crapy Food Syndrome...

"Gluten-free" needs to go away too

I think if it’s natural MSG which gets from food like mushrooms and so on it’s totally fine. However, if it’s the synthetic one which contains heaps of Chemical substances then it’s not ok ig; packaged or mass produced store bought.

love Chang, not a great speaker though.

Msg stands for my Satan's garnish.

David does tend to see racism in many places.

I've been in the hospital for 4 days because the chef had put ridiculous amounts in my food I couldn't walk ne more from the pain it was an intense nerve pain in my knees

It is called Chinese restaurant syndrome, as Chinese restaurants are adding msg powder to their dishes. Not all - but a lot. I have seen in several very good restaurants, that the chefs adding chicken powder, maggi sauce and yes - concentrated MSG to their dishes. And that you won't have at all in most Japanese or Italian restaurants.

msg 'salt' is also not natural umami

I appreciate the info but is this dude stoned?

MSG increases your sensitivity to insulin.

when we use very fresh ingredients in our cooking, we DO NOT NEED TO USE MSG. As you already said most food has its natural glutame acid in it. BUT if it is a Processed glutame, it is different..cos the strength is intense N concentrate..and it also has other chemicals aded on in it.

But instead the ratio of solid ingrediant vs water is at least 1:4 and ahe often mixes multiple layers of different broth... which means money. Of course, I understand that it is iresistable for restaurants to use it, but this effort of trying to make a positive image for it is, sorry but a no. I have pride in my own food and prefer 'using real cheese to plastic bottle flakes'. Besides, if you say it all goes down to white powder... why eat real food? We can just go with stuff like protein pills

Is guy is out of breath and he’s hardly moving.

Hmm that sound interesting but highly unfounded. My theory is baded on the chemistry realities of artificial MSG. Yes Mono Sodium Glutamate is contained in natural foods. But the problem I believe is not MSG it self but not the problem. It is the Hydrolysis process of creating artificial MSG nusing harsh acids that creates a substance close to natural msg, but corrupted by the hydrolysis process. So it's not the exact MSG molecule, but the process and adulterates.

Why is it bad for you? Increases the response to sweet and salty tastes allowing you to use less salt and sugar, stimulates glutamate receptors in the stomach signalling a satiated or full feeling,essential building block of man important proteins, needed in neurons to promote healthy neural signalling and tastes so damn good? Sounds more like it could have potentially huge health benefits, I love Asian food but while I could easily gorge myself on Indian food I feel full and satisfied very quickly with Chinese, it initially tastes good and you eat more but you feel satisfied and stop sooner! You use less salt and sugar so your intake of salt and sugar can go down, it makes sour foods less harsh and enhances their profile without needing sweetness so allows more citric acid, vitamin-c etc to be taken in in those who find sour foods unpalatable and the glutamic acid will be used in the same way that the stuff in your meat, dairy, fish and fermented vegetable products. Cultures that eat a lot of umami tend to have less issues with obesity, heart disease etc and longer life expectancies , for example Japan, the Mediteranean (tomatoes, olives). And a fair bit of that, at least in Asian cooking, comes from MSG whether natural or processed. We process sugar out of cane and it is known to be bad for you in excess, why not ferment seaweed or tomatoes and process out the natural MSG? There's no proof that any reasonable amount of MSG is bad for you and when it is, sodium (think table salt) is the culprit, I would suspect that anything umami could have potential health benefits for it's ability to make you feel full alone, never mind it's ability to reduce the need for salt and sugar which, especially in the case of sugar, actually encourage gorging without ever making you feel satisfied! I would suspect that MSG may actually encourage healthier eating when used appropriately!

I get migraines from MSG and fermented foods too.

Whenever I eat chinese food that has MSG in it I am definitely unquestionably affected. I feel like crap and very very thirsty. Not because of any placebo effect either... I actually don't even think about MSG when eating at a chinese restaurant, I completely forget about it... It's only later when I get home and notice how thirsty I am and the headaches, etc. that I remember oh that's right I just ate chinese food from a particular restaurant. Just because something occurs naturally in our bodies doesn't mean it's ok for us... Hydrochloric Acid is produced naturally in our bodies... Not so sure if it's safe to drink!!! Poisonous mushrooms occur naturally... doesn't make them safe to eat. Salt with an extra molecule doesn't mean it's as safe to eat as salt.... Water is H2O but add an extra oxygen atom H2O2 it becomes Hydrogen Peroxide! PS I love Chinese food. PS MSG when combined with a purple shirt makes you sweat!

Look at the evidence around artificial colorings.... Yet we vilify MSG, and scarf down the Taki's...SMH.

technology is bad for cooking

i don't care if you've made millions in the culinary industry. noone wants to hear if MSG is bad or good for them from a dude whos struggling to breathe and not sweat while giving a oral standing presentation.

I'm sure the mans right but I know that the last time I ordered Chinese food I was paralyzed with migraine for pretty much the whole next day. I do eat Asian food, in fact I love it but I won't order take out Chinese food again (I live in the Netherlands btw). It could be that the dosis of MSG was ridiculously high or some other substance did it. Or maybe it was just a pure coincidence, who knows.

MSG isn't naturally occurring in a pure refined form… It is naturally occurring in very low concentration as glutamic acid and salts combined with other kind of molecules like proteins, sugar, lipids, amino acids, etc. Only in RARE exceptions, it is occurring in high concentration… But naturally occurring doesn't mean it is good or safe!