Too hot to handle? Indian origin doctor claims eating this Thai dish left her scarred for life; sues restaurant
Dr. Harjasleen Walia, an Indian origin neurologist from San Jose, has filed a lawsuit against Coup de Thai restaurant in Los Gatos, California, alleging that their spicy "Dragon Balls" dish caused her permanent internal injuries. She claims the dish, made with potent bird's eye chilies, led to chemical burns in her throat, vocal cords, and nostril, despite her request for a milder version. The restaurant denies wrongdoing, stating the dish cannot be made less spicy. A jury trial is scheduled for August, with Walia now representing herself.
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Doctor Requested Less Spice
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Dish Contains Highly Spicy Bird's Eye Chili
Restaurant Denies Responsibility
An Indian origin neurologist from San Jose, California, has filed a lawsuit against a Thai restaurant, alleging a spicy appetizer caused her long-lasting internal injuries. Dr. Harjasleen Walia claims the "Dragon Balls" dish at Coup de Thai in Los Gatos left her with chemical burns and permanent damage after she ate the food in 2023. The incident has sparked a legal battle that is scheduled to go to trial in August 2025.Fox News reported that according to court documents filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Dr. Walia informed the restaurant staff ahead of time that she could not tolerate spicy food and requested the dish be made mild. The restaurant allegedly agreed to accommodate the request. However, after taking one bite, Walia says she immediately experienced an intense burning sensation across her mouth, throat, tongue, and even her right nostril.The lawsuit states she "felt her entire mouth, the roof of her mouth, her tongue, her throat and her nose burn like fire." Her "eyes and nose watered, and she began coughing." Despite drinking coconut water and regular water, the burning did not ease.Following the incident, Dr. Walia alleges she lost her voice and was later diagnosed with internal chemical burns. The complaint describes damage to her vocal cords, esophagus, and nasal passages. The legal filing further claims, "[She] incurred permanent injuries and will forever be damaged."Additionally, she asked the staff for a dairy product — such as milk or yogurt — to counter the spice, but received no assistance. The suit states that 'no milk, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream or other dairy product was provided or offered to Ms. Walia to quell the obvious burning.'Coup de Thai's Dragon Balls are described on the menu as 'spicy chicken ball[s] fried with mint, shallot [and] green onion,' and also include cilantro, kaffir lime leaves, chili, and rice powder. The primary source of heat is Thai bird's eye chili, which measures between 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units — significantly hotter than jalapeños and serranos.The lawsuit claims the use of such chilies made the dish 'unfit for human consumption' and that the restaurant 'failed to take precautions by consulting with health officials or emergency service personnel regarding the risks associated with serving too much Thai chili in an appetizer like Dragon Balls.'Coup de Thai has denied the allegations. The restaurant maintains that the dish cannot be made less spicy since the chilies are already blended into the chicken mixture before cooking. In its October 2023 filing, the restaurant also stated that no other customers have reported similar reactions or required medical treatment.Later, Dr. Walia amended her complaint, alleging a new employee mistakenly added extra peppers instead of reducing them as she had requested. In a May 2024 court filing, she also opted to represent herself in the case, moving forward without legal counsel.The upcoming trial is expected to last five to seven days. The restaurant plans to subpoena Dr. Walia's medical records and request a medical examination. She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and unspecified damages. A mandatory settlement conference has been scheduled shortly before the trial begins in August.
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