Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers — Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Episode Title: JON M. CHU Became a Local Celebrity At His Family's Los Altos Restaurant: Chef Chu's
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Seth Meyers & Josh Meyers
Guest: Jon M. Chu, acclaimed director ("Crazy Rich Asians," "In the Heights," "Wicked")

This episode delves into Jon M. Chu’s vibrant upbringing as the youngest of five in a tight-knit, entrepreneurial immigrant family — famous locally for the legendary Chef Chu's restaurant in Los Altos/Palo Alto, California. Jon reflects on the chaos and love of a big household, the formative influence of Chef Chu’s on his career (and his reputation in Silicon Valley), memories from family travels, and the unique ways his background shaped his artistry and worldview. There are plenty of laughs about family dynamics, culinary legacy, and showbiz adventures, including memorable anecdotes about red carpets, celebrity run-ins, and the unofficial "power vacuum" his family creates at public events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family Chaos as Creative DNA ([07:11]–[10:58])

• Jon is youngest of five and now has five kids himself. He describes his upbringing as “mayhem,” drawing a direct line to the chaos on movie sets.
  • Quote: “I was surrounded by chaos... I was on a movie set from the very beginning, essentially.” — Jon Chu ([07:46])
• Discusses the decision (or lack thereof) to have five children, and how every movie he's made coincided with a new child, especially on "Wicked."
  • Quote: “Every movie I’ve had a baby... and ‘Wicked,’ I’ve had three.” — Jon Chu ([10:12])
• He started late—first child at 39—but finds parenting the “most beautiful chaos.”

2. Chef Chu’s: The Family Restaurant & Silicon Valley Legend ([15:13]–[16:48])

• Chef Chu's has been a community staple for over 56 years. Jon worked there throughout his childhood, in all capacities—with the caveat, “Did I get paid? No. Never an employee.” ([15:28])
• The restaurant was a hub for Silicon Valley pioneers; Jon’s filmmaking hobby was nurtured by generous customers who were early tech titans, gifting him cutting-edge editing hardware and software.
  • Quote: “I’m the product of generosity from these customers... I learned how to edit before kids my age knew non-linear editing.” — Jon Chu ([16:12])

3. Embracing and Reconciling a Bicultural Childhood ([16:48]–[17:34], [23:24]–[24:44])

• Jon’s parents immigrated from Taiwan. They immersed their kids in American culture (TV, dance, music) while maintaining community ties.
• He shares how his family was focused on assimilation, but also comments on the difficulties and morbid stories from his parents' childhoods in Taiwan, offering a nuanced window into immigrant resilience:
  • Quote: “They left their whole life...decided it was better to leave... and come to a place where they started at zero. That is so rockstar.” — Jon Chu ([24:47])

4. Sibling Dynamics and Growing Up ("Larry" as Family Brand) ([17:34]–[18:52], [59:11])

• A running gag: all three have dads named Larry. Jon’s brother is “Larry Jr.,” and now there’s a “Larry III (LC3).”
  • Quote: “There’s a long line of Larry’s now in my family... My brother Larry was the most popular.” — Jon Chu ([18:08])

5. Talent Show Terrors & Tap Dancing ([19:06]–[22:31])

• Jon was roped into tap dancing as the only boy in the studio, eventually teaming up (sometimes reluctantly) with his sister for school shows — including the infamous “Me and My Shadow” act, where he let his shy sister sing solo as a prank.
• Seth bemoans being told to take tap lessons by Lorne Michaels; Jon stresses how dance and having a video camera shaped his early filmmaking.

6. Family Travels, Memory-Making, and a Near-Drowning ([36:27]–[46:29])

• His mom planned yearly international trips, always with an educational/cultural bent (e.g., to France, Scotland, London). Jon’s role: family videographer.
• Road trips were rare, but families events were epic, with Jon’s mom ensuring they entered every space (country club, restaurant) with the confidence of Kennedys — even if "everyone stared."
• Childhood near-miss: While in Nice, Jon tried to swim out to a dock to join his older siblings, underestimated the distance, and nearly drowned.
  • Quote: “I remember the water getting up to here and just taking my last breath and going down... My toe touched a piece of coral... That was that.” — Jon Chu ([44:00])

7. The Restaurant as Community—and Cultural Ambassadorship ([46:29]–[48:16])

• Wherever they traveled, Jon’s parents sought out Chinese restaurants and connected with owners. At home, they mentored other immigrants opening restaurants and were proud ambassadors for their cuisine and community.
  • Quote: “They would take care of people who opened restaurants...They would always say that we're ambassadors.” — Jon Chu ([47:06])

8. Movie Premieres & "The Chu Power Vacuum" ([51:19]–[56:31])

• Jon’s family attends his movie premieres en masse—40 tickets for “Wicked”! At the "Wicked" premiere, Jon missed it due to his wife going into labor, and watched his family “fill the power vacuum” on the livestream, turning the event into their own red carpet celebration.
  • Quote: “If there is a power vacuum, my parents will fill that vacuum on the carpet. No one will stop them.” — Jon Chu ([52:56])
• Showbiz run-ins: Jon’s mom once hugged Morgan Freeman from behind; Bruce Willis charmed Jon’s family at a party; Seth’s mom was kissed by Idris Elba.

9. Identity, Representation, and the Impact of "Crazy Rich Asians" ([28:56]–[31:14])

• Jon admits grappling with making "Crazy Rich Asians"—the fear of putting his family's cultural identity on-screen.
  • Quote: “As an artist, I need to do the thing that scares me the most. So exploring my family...Crazy Rich Asians is my family, essentially.” — Jon Chu ([29:18])
• Family was instrumental in shaping the movie's authentic details; his mother immediately critiqued a kitchen scene for visible MSG in the frame.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On tap dancing and sibling betrayal:
  “Me and My Shadow, and I played the shadow... She had to sing it in front of everybody. I feel guilty for it to this day.”—Jon Chu ([20:31])
• On big families:
  “Before I had kids, I thought people with five kids, don’t take this the wrong way, were fucking crazy.” — Seth Meyers ([08:51])
• On the Chef Chu’s origin story and its Silicon Valley connections:
  “Those customers — I’m the product of generosity from these customers...I learned how to edit before kids my age knew how to do nonlinear editing.” — Jon Chu ([16:36])
• On the family's red carpet takeovers:
  “I see my family walk by...and for an hour... they're talking to everybody, taking photos with Ari and Cynthia, on ET... Happens every time.” — Jon Chu ([53:31])
• On mothers as critics:
  “My mom loves to have her opinion. ‘That's not funny. I know what's gonna happen.’ She loves to say it in the middle of the movie to everybody.” — Jon Chu ([27:58])
• On being the ignored youngest and surviving family trips:
  "All the attention was going to all these other kids... and then I came and I was completely ignored, but... I was also, you know, pretty cute and wild." — Jon Chu ([39:27])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening Family Dinner & Chaos: 00:01–06:48
• Intro to Jon M. Chu & Family Background: 07:11–10:58
• Chef Chu’s Restaurant & Bay Area Origins: 15:13–16:48
• Tap Dancing & Talent Show Memories: 19:06–22:31
• Immigrant Family Narrative & Taiwan Visit: 23:24–24:44
• Sibling Dynamics, Big Family Upbringing: 17:34–18:52, 39:27–40:15
• Family Travel Stories & Near-Drowning: 36:27–46:29
• Parental Ambassadorship for Chinese Food: 46:29–48:16
• Red Carpet/Power Vacuum Stories: 51:19–56:31
• On "Crazy Rich Asians" and Cultural Representation: 28:56–31:14
• Speed Round (“Relaxing, adventurous, or educational trip?” etc.): 58:28–60:28

Speed Round & Lightning Questions ([58:28])

• Ideal vacation: "Relaxing, for sure."
• Transportation: "Car."
• Vacation with any (fictional) family: “The Jacksons.”
• Stranded on a desert island: “My oldest brother, Larry.”
• Tourism pitch for Los Altos: “The center of innovation and education and culture...and you can direct 'Wicked' one day because... there’s a great Chinese restaurant called Chef Chu’s.”
• Has Jon been to the Grand Canyon? "Never." Would he go? "I've had conversations about wanting to see it with my kids... but not really."

Tone & Style

The episode is playful, affectionate, and full of familial warmth and teasing. The Meyers brothers riff off each other's memories and Jon’s stories, often comparing notes on big family energy, immigrant household quirks, and the unique way that chaos and community build resilience — and sometimes lead to movie magic.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a heartfelt, funny look at how family roots can shape a person’s creative journey, with insights for anyone who’s been the ignored youngest, worked in a family business, or been “adopted” by a community. Jon M. Chu’s stories are not just about celebrity encounters but about love, heritage, and always, always showing up — in childhood talent shows or Oscar-level red carpets — with your family in tow.

[End of summary]