New Zealand Wok ‘n Noodle restaurant owner allegedly attacked, burned in racist incident

The restaurant owner was minding his own business when he realised a man was yelling at him and things soon turned violent.

A community is rallying behind a New Zealand restaurant owner after he was brutally attacked and left with burns in an incident believed to have been motivated by racism.

Chang Woo Lee owns Asian fusion restaurant Wok ‘n Noodle Takapuna in Auckland.

On Thursday morning, Mr Lee was sitting out the front of his restaurant after completing a run, minding his own business, when the violent attack was captured on camera.

He sipped on a coffee and spoke to a friend in Korean using wireless headphones when he attracted the attention of a man across the road.

The restaurateur said the man started yelling at him to “shut the f**k up” and ordered him “don’t talk like that”.

“I was confused on whether he was talking to me or someone else,” Mr Lee told the NZ Herald.

The incident happened on Thursday morning. Picture: Supplied

The angry man eventually crossed the road and continued to shout obscenities at Mr Lee before he got physical.

Video shows that the alleged attacker tried to punch Mr Lee, but the restaurateur was able to dodge it.

The attacker then resorted to swiping Mr Lee’s coffee cup, splashing the hot beverage all over the unsuspecting victim.

The man then goaded Mr Lee into fighting with him and eventually walked off.

Mr Lee had minor burns to his face and chest where the coffee landed. He called the police shortly after.

They said they had received a report about one man yelling at an another, and were waiting for an additional report to be made.

Chang Woo Lee was nearly punched and was burned with coffee. Picture: Facebook

The community has rallied around the restaurant. Picture: Facebook

News of the incident has rippled through the community, appalled by the attack.

Richard Hills, a local councillor from the area, said he was “absolutely disgusted” by what had happened.

“I’m glad he’s doing okay now but it’s not good enough that this happened, when he was peacefully going about his day,” he said.

“We should all condemn this attack and continue to welcome diversity and people of all ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds in our city.”

The restaurant has received an outpouring of support.

“My team and I at Wok ‘n Noodle Takapuna truly appreciate your incredible support after the incident,” Wok ‘n Noodle posted on Facebook on Sunday.

Wok ‘n Noodle has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as New Zealand Wok ‘n Noodle restaurant owner allegedly attacked, burned in racist incident