David Chang
David Chang | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1977 Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur, author, podcaster, television host |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Founder of Momofuku restaurant empire; host of Ugly Delicious, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, The Next Thing You Eat, Dinner Time Live with David Chang |
| Notable work | Momofuku restaurant group; Lucky Peach magazine; cookbooks; multiple TV shows |
David Chang (; ; born August 5, 1977) is a prominent American chef, restaurateur, author, podcaster, and television host. He is the founder of the Momofuku restaurant empire. In 2009, his establishment Momofuku Ko was awarded two Michelin stars, a distinction it retained until closing in 2023. Chang also co-launched the culinary magazine Lucky Peach in 2011, which released 25 quarterly editions before ceasing publication in 2017.
Chang has gained recognition as the host of several food-focused television programs such as Ugly Delicious (2018), Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (2019), The Next Thing You Eat (2021), and Dinner Time Live with David Chang (2024–present).
Early life and education
Born in Arlington, Virginia, Chang is the son of Woo Chung Hi "Sherri" and Chang Jin Pil (later Joseph P. Chang), Korean immigrants who settled in the United States during the 1960s. He was raised in Vienna, Virginia alongside two older brothers and a sister. During his youth, he competed as a golfer. Chang attended Georgetown Preparatory School followed by Trinity College, where he studied religious studies. After graduating, he undertook various roles including teaching English in Japan, working as a busser, and holding finance positions in New York City.
Culinary training and career
In 2000, Chang enrolled at the French Culinary Institute (now known as the International Culinary Center) while simultaneously working part-time at Mercer Kitchen and handling phone duties at Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant, where he remained for two years. His culinary journey then took him to Japan, where he worked at a soba noodle shop and at the Park Hyatt Tokyo before returning to the United States to join Café Boulud. Feeling unfulfilled by fine dining, he launched his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in Manhattan’s East Village in 2004. The term momofuku translates to "lucky peach" and pays homage to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant noodles.
Momofuku Ssäm Bar followed in August 2006 near the original location, receiving praise for its creative menu offerings. In March 2008, Chang opened Momofuku Ko, an intimate 12-seat restaurant requiring reservations. Later that year, together with Christina Tosi, he expanded Ssäm Bar to include Momofuku Milk Bar, a dessert-focused venue known for innovative treats such as Crack Pie and Compost Cookies.
By 2009, Momofuku Milk Bar had begun securing trademarks for its signature items. That same year saw the release of the cookbook Momofuku, co-written by Chang and Peter Meehan. In May 2010, he debuted Má Pêche in midtown Manhattan.
Chang’s international expansion included Momofuku Seiōbo at Sydney’s Star City Casino in 2011, which earned three hats from the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and was named Best New Restaurant. Toward the end of 2012, he introduced a multi-concept Momofuku venue in downtown Toronto featuring Noodle Bar, Daishō, Shōtō, and bar Nikai; Daishō and Shōtō closed in 2017 and were succeeded by Kojin in 2018.
In June 2015, Chang unveiled Fuku, a fast-casual chain centered on fried chicken sandwiches. The following year marked the launch of Ando, a delivery-only digital restaurant operating exclusively through app orders. Also in 2016, he collaborated with Impossible Foods to incorporate plant-based dishes into Momofuku Nishi’s menu.
July 2017 brought news of Majordomo as his inaugural West Coast establishment; it opened its doors in Los Angeles in January 2018. The same year witnessed Má Pêche’s closure after an eight-year run. Plans were underway for a new restaurant at New York’s Hudson Yards development.
On December 30, 2019, Majordomo Meat & Fish debuted at The Palazzo tower in Las Vegas. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary shutdowns of Momofuku locations early in 2020; later that year saw permanent closures of Momofuku Nishi (Manhattan) and Momofuku CCDC (Washington D.C.). In 2021, Momofuku Seiōbo in Sydney also ceased operations.
Majordomo and Moon Palace at The Palazzo closed on June 6, 2022. More recently, Momofuku Ssäm Bar shuttered on September 30, 2023; followed by the closure of his two-Michelin-starred Momofuku Ko on November 4, 2023.
Television
In 2010, Chang made an appearance in the fifth installment of HBO's Treme, sharing the screen with chefs Tom Colicchio, Eric Ripert, and Wylie Dufresne. His involvement increased during season two when a storyline featured a character employed at his New York City eatery. Chang also took on the role of guest judge on Top Chef: All Stars and appeared in 2011 on MasterChef Australia. He was the host for the inaugural season of the PBS culinary series The Mind of a Chef, which was executive produced by Anthony Bourdain and debuted in fall 2012. In 2013, Chang contributed to a skit on the Deltron 3030 album Event 2.
In 2016, he portrayed himself as a guest star on the IFC show Documentary Now! in the episode titled "Juan Likes Rice & Chicken," a spoof of Jiro Dreams of Sushi. By 2018, Chang created, produced, and starred in the Netflix original series Ugly Delicious. Additionally, he featured in Netflix’s The Chef Show, produced by his friends Roy Choi and Jon Favreau. In 2019, he produced another Netflix original titled Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, which included guests such as Seth Rogen and Kate McKinnon. He also hosted the documentary series The Next Thing You Eat.
On November 29, 2020, Chang became the first celebrity and the fourteenth overall contestant to win $1,000,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, with his winnings benefiting the Southern Smoke Foundation. He appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in Apple TV+’s series Loot. In 2024, Chang began hosting Netflix’s live late-night talk show Dinner Time Live with David Chang.
Writing
In the summer of 2011, Chang introduced the debut issue of his quarterly culinary magazine, Lucky Peach, developed alongside Peter Meehan and published by McSweeney's. The premiere edition concentrated on Ramen and included contributions from notable figures such as Anthony Bourdain, Wylie Dufresne, Ruth Reichl, and Harold McGee. The second issue, themed The Sweet Spot, climbed to #3 on the New York Times bestsellers list and featured writers like Bourdain, McGee, Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar, Daniel Patterson, and Russell Chatham. Released in March 2012, Issue 3: Chefs and Cooks also achieved bestseller status. Each edition focused on a distinct food-related theme.
Lucky Peach published a total of 25 issues before ceasing publication in 2017.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 – 2012 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Himself | 5 Episodes | |||||
| 2009 – 2012 | Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations | Himself | 2 Episodes | |||||
| 2010 | Late Show with David Letterman | Himself | Episode: "Demi Moore/Chef David Chang/Justin Nozuka" | |||||
| 2010 – 2011 | MasterChef Australia | Guest chef | 3 Episodes | |||||
| 2012 | The Mind of a Chef | Himself | 16 Episodes | |||||
| 2013 | Masterchef Australia: The Professionals | Guest chef | Episode: "Grand Finale" | |||||
| 2013 | Top Chef | Guest judge | 2 Episodes | |||||
| 2014 | Top Chef Canada | Guest judge | Episode: "The World According to Chang" | |||||
| 2014–2024 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Himself | 3 Episodes | |||||
| 2018 – 2020 | Ugly Delicious | Host | Netflix; 12 Episodes | |||||
| 2018 – 2024 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Himself | 3 Episodes | |||||
| 2019 | The Chef Show | Himself | 2 Episodes | |||||
| 2019 | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Host | Netflix; 4 Episodes | |||||
| 2020 – 2024 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Himself | 3 Episodes | |||||
| 2021 | Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain | Himself | ||||||
| 2021 | The Kelly Clarkson Show | Himself | 2 Episodes | |||||
| 2021 | The Next Thing You Eat | Host | Hulu; 6 Episodes | |||||
| 2021 – 2023 | 3 Episodes |- | Good Morning America | Episode: "Calista Flockhart/Jamie Oliver/Chrissy Teigen/David Chang/Jackie Evancho" |- | Dinner Time Live with David Chang | Netflix; 37 Episodes |- | Celebrity Family Feud | Episode: "Chrissy Teigen & John Legend vs. David Chang and Deadliest Catch vs Star Trek Universe" | |
Public perception
According to Epicurious, Chang is known for his "bad-boy attitude," notably due to his refusal to accept reservations or provide vegetarian dishes. In 2009, he stirred debate with dismissive comments about chefs in California, telling Anthony Bourdain that "They don't manipulate food, they just put figs on a plate."
Chang contributes to hunger-relief efforts by serving on the Food Council at City Harvest and the Culinary Council for the Food Bank for New York City. Additionally, he holds a trustee position on the board of MOFAD, the Museum of Food and Drink located in New York City.
Disputes
In 2024, Momofuku, Chang's enterprise, came under scrutiny after issuing cease and desist letters concerning the "chili crunch" trademark. The company clarified that this trademark was intended to distinguish its product within the chili crisp market rather than to hinder competitors.
On April 12, 2024, Chang addressed the issue on his podcast, The Dave Chang Show, offering an apology and explaining that Momofuku did not aim to cause offense and would stop enforcing the trademark moving forward.
Active locations
- Bāng Bar (New York, NY)
- Bāng Bar – Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, NV)
- Fuku – Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
- Fuku – Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
- Fuku – Citi Field (Queens, NY)
- Fuku – Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- Fuku – Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
- Fuku – Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
- Fuku – Hudson Yards (New York, NY)
- Fuku – Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
- Fuku – Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD)
- Fuku – Oracle Park (San Francisco, CA)
- Fuku – Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
- Fuku – PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Fuku – EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, FL)
- Fuku – T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
- Fuku – Yankee Stadium (New York, NY)
- Kabawa – East Village (New York, NY)
- Bar Kabawa – East Village (New York, NY)
- Majordōmo (Los Angeles, CA)
- Momofuku Noodle Bar – East Village (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Noodle Bar – Uptown (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Las Vegas – Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas, NV)
Former locations
- Fuku – East Village (New York, NY)
- Fuku+ – Midtown; Chambers Hotel (New York, NY)
- Fuku – Financial District (New York, NY)
- Fuku – Battery Park City (New York, NY)
- Fuku – Chancery Market (Wilmington, DE)
- Kāwi (New York, NY)
- Má Pêche – Chambers Hotel (New York, NY)
- Momofuku CCDC (Washington, DC)
- Momofuku Ko (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Nishi (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Bar Wayo (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Ssäm Bar (New York, NY)
- Momofuku Noodle Bar (Toronto, Canada)
- Shōtō (Toronto, Canada)
- Daisho (Toronto, Canada)
- Nikai (Toronto, Canada)
- Kōjin (Toronto, Canada)
- Moon Palace – The Venetian Las Vegas
- Majordōmo Meat & Fish – The Venetian Las Vegas
- Momofuku Seiōbo – The Star Sydney
Upcoming venues
- Peach Palace – JFK Airport (Queens, NY)
- Super Peach – Century City (Los Angeles, CA)
Honors
- 2007 Rising Star Chef of the Year by James Beard Foundation
- 2008 Best Chef New York City for Momofuku Ssäm Bar
- 2009 Best New Restaurant awarded to Momofuku Ko
- 2013 Outstanding Chef recognition
- 2014 Inducted into James Beard Foundation Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America
Additional accolades
- Included in Time magazine's 2010 list of 100 Most Influential People
Publications
- David Chang and Peter Meehan, Momofuku, Clarkson N Potter Publishers, 2009
- David Chang and Chris Ying (editors), Lucky Peach, 2011
- David Chang and Gabe Ulla, Eat a Peach, 2020
- David Chang and Priya Krishna, Cooking at Home or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook, Clarkson N Potter Publishers/Ten Speed, 2021