A Korean-American news anchor shared audio of a phone call from a viewer who complained she was "being very Asian" for mentioning that she ate dumpling soup on New Year's Day while on the air.

Michelle Li, who anchors at St. Louis news station KSDK, said during a segment about New Year's Day foods: "I ate dumpling soup. That's what a lot of Korean people do."

On social media, Li received praise for offering representation of her culture. One Twitter user, @MBowmanScience, wrote: " Thank you for mentioning Asian New Year's traditions. We need to include more discussions that include diverse traditions because youth do 'see you.'"

But one woman took offense to the comment, calling into the station to complain.

"This evening your Asian anchor mentioned something about being Asian and Asian people eat dumplings on New Year's Day and I kind of take offense to that. Because what if one of your white anchors said 'Well white people ate this on New Year's Day,'" the caller said.

She continued: "I don't think it was appropriate that she said that, and she's being very Asian. I don't know. She can keep her Korean to herself. Alright, sorry. It was annoying. Because if a white person would say that, they would get fired."

The video of Li listening to the phone call has been viewed more than 1.6 million times as of Sunday evening and prompted "#VeryAsian" to trend on Twitter.

Anchor Shares Video Anti-Asian Racism
Korean-American news anchor Michelle Li shared the audio of a viewer complaining about her being “very Asian.” Above, people are seen protesting anti-Asian racism in Houston on March 20, 2021.MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images

Many on social media were quick to show support for Li, pointing out the call is characteristic of the racism many Asian-Americans face.

Twitter user Allan Chow wrote: "Nobody should put up with the "feedback" @MichelleLiTV just had to deal with and this is not new to any Asian American. It's a post-snow day in Chicago which means Chinatown is a bit more empty than usual in the morning and I'm going to be #VeryAsian all damned day."

"I am proud to be #VeryAsian and if that "annoys" white people...well then that's their problem and not ours. We should not have to hide our culture to reinforce the outdated notion of white being the default norm," wrote Twitter user @Saqib_W_Ali.

"20 years ago, a reader sent the publisher of my newspaper a letter criticizing my article on tea, calling me a fortune cookie, and saying they should've hired an American. This s*** doesn't stop. @MichelleLiTV, do say something. Dumpling posse has got your back," wrote journalist and author Hsaio-Ching Chou.

Twitter user @fatimasaleh82 wrote: "Love that #VeryAsian is trending. The audacity this caller has should be astounding but honestly...not surprised."

Li thanked everyone for their support in a tweet, writing: "2022 is the year to be #veryasian -- in our mixed house, we like to say, "We all Asian!" Send noods. Keep the dumplings on the stove. Thank you for the love, let's make something out of it. Now I'm thinking..." She included a photo that says, "We're all in this together."

In an article for KSDK, Li wrote "I thought I'd just add a little line because who gets to define American culture these days? I'm American. My friends are American. And even growing up in Missouri, I didn't grow up eating collards, cornbread, or pork for New Year's. My sister in law actually said she grew up eating pickled herring. We are [sic] have different and shared experiences."

KSDK also issued a statement supporting Li.

"KSDK fully supports our excellent award-winning anchor/reporter Michelle Li. A viewer advised Michelle to "keep her Korean to herself" when Michelle ad libbed during a newscast about the Korean tradition of eating dumpling soup for good luck on New Year's Day. At KSDK, we embrace diversity in the people we hire, the stories we tell and our local community. We will continue supporting Michelle and celebrating diversity and inclusion," the news station wrote.

Updated with comments from news station and KSDK article.