San Francisco Restaurant Closes Following TikTok Controversy Involving Chef’s Disparaging Remarks

A well-known restaurant in San Francisco has abruptly closed its doors following a viral incident involving its chef and a TikTok influencer. This incident has sparked a significant backlash on social media, leading to the restaurant’s decision to shut down.

The eatery, Kis Café, announced its closure last week via an Instagram post. The controversy began with a TikTok creator known as Karla, who has amassed a following of over 400,000 since the video went viral. Initially, she only had 15,000 followers before the conflict unfolded.

The Viral Encounter that Triggered Outrage

Karla detailed her distressing experience with Chef Luke Sung, who co-owns Kis Café. During a collaborative visit to the restaurant, Karla reported that Sung questioned her identity upon learning about her online presence. He allegedly ridiculed her follower count and implied that her audience was not worthy of dining at his establishment.

In her viral video, which has garnered over 22 million views, Karla shared her feelings of shock and frustration. She described how Sung pulled up her TikTok account and proclaimed that with only 15,000 followers, she was a mistake for the collaboration.

“He stated that my audience wouldn’t be the type of people dining at his restaurant,” Karla recounted, visibly upset. This statement suggested to her that Sung believed her followers could not afford meals at his upscale venue.

Furthermore, Sung allegedly boasted about his own daughter’s influence, revealing that she had 600,000 followers on social media. This comparison added to Karla’s discomfort and ultimately led her to leave the restaurant in tears.

Social Media Backlash and Community Response

Karla’s video sparked a wave of outrage, with viewers criticizing Chef Sung and Kis Café. Many social media users expressed their disbelief that a person’s social media following could dictate their worth or respect. These sentiments resonated widely, leading to a flood of negative comments directed at the restaurant.

One viewer stated, “He was right about one thing: Your followers are not going to be eating at his restaurant.” Another user remarked on the ludicrous nature of equating follower counts with individual value, asserting that