
But his relationship with his family and his Korean identity certainly shaped his approach. When he recalls his childhood in Virginia, he’s wary of shoehorning memories into a neat narrative that explains his rise in the culinary world. It took him a while to stumble upon his passion for cooking. why Chang views the story of Sisyphus as an inspirational tale.Ĭhang’s early years lacked a culinary through-line, but gave him a distinct perspective.ĭavid Chang had a late start as a chef.why Chang’s “Asian Chipotle” didn’t work, but his fried chicken sandwich chain did and.how depression both hindered Chang and led to periods of enlightenment in his career.These blinks dive into Chang’s inner life: his struggles, his successes, and his inspirations. But throughout his journey, he contended with a lingering feeling of otherness that both inspired and inhibited him – as well as a mental illness that nearly killed him. He’s always sought to question and disrupt preconceptions of culture and food through Momofuku, which means “lucky peach” in Japanese.
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No one could have predicted it would make such an impact – but its success would mark the beginning of a complete reimagining of modern American cuisine.Ĭhang built an empire after the massive success of his first little project, with eateries all over the world, a cookbook, a Netflix series, and a podcast. It was soon considered one of the coolest restaurants in the city. It was a rebellious little ramen shop, owned by a young, unknown chef named David Chang. In 2004, Momofuku Noodle Bar opened in New York’s East Village.

What’s in it for me? An intimate chronicle of the life of one of America’s most influential chefs. It’s a raw and honest account of Chang’s struggles with mental illness, his thoughts on culture and identity, and how he enacted his vision of a new way of eating in America.

Eat a Peach (2020) is a candid memoir that follows American chef David Chang’s rise to culinary stardom.
