California doctor claims spicy Thai dish left her with chemical burns

A California neurologist is suing a Thai restaurant, claiming she suffered permanent injuries after eating a spicy dish that she described as “unfit for human consumption.”

Harjasleen Walia, a San Jose-based doctor, is demanding over US$35,000 (approximately 1.16 million baht) in damages after an order of Dragon Balls at Los Gatos’ Coup de Thai allegedly left her with chemical burns.

The notorious Dragon Balls—a fiery appetizer made with chicken, herbs, and Thai chili—was at the centre of the drama. Walia claims the dish caused “irreversible” damage to her vocal cords, throat, and nose, leaving her with burns from the intense spice.

“She incurred permanent injuries and will forever be damaged,” according to the lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

On a July 2021 visit to the restaurant, Walia requested the dish be made less spicy due to her low tolerance. But she says that upon taking a bite, her “mouth, throat, and nose burned like fire,” leading to immediate coughing and watering eyes. Despite pleading for dairy products like yoghurt to cool the burning sensation, staff allegedly offered no remedy.

At the heart of the lawsuit is the bird’s eye chilli, a pepper known to pack a punch with up to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units—about 40 times hotter than a jalapeño. Walia’s legal team claims the restaurant “negligently failed to test the heat intensity” and did not warn about the risks of using such spicy ingredients.

Coup de Thai has denied responsibility, with a restaurant supervisor stating that Dragon Balls can’t be made mild as the chilli is already mixed in. The jury trial is set for August 2025, with the restaurant seeking medical records to support Walia’s claims, reported Daily Mail UK.

In related news, the New York Times’ recent feature on the Thai dish Larb Gai (minced chicken salad) has captured international attention, quickly going viral. The renowned media outlet, with over 19 million followers on Facebook, shared a detailed post about this popular Thai dish, sparking widespread interest.