Episode 175 — David Chang: Pork Buns, Bo Ssam & Rethinking the Rules

pplpod Episode 175 traces David Chang’s restless climb—from line cook with a chip on his shoulder to the chef–publisher–podcaster who rewired how America eats. We map the East Village spark of Momofuku Noodle Bar, the rule-breaking swagger of Ssäm Bar, and the obsessive minimalism of Ko (tasting menus with a punk heartbeat). On the plate: pork buns that went everywhere, the communal theater of bo ssäm, fermentation as flavor engine, and a pantry that turned “ugly” into delicious. Beyond the pass, we track Lucky Peach’s gonzo food journalism, TV storytelling on The Mind of a Chef and Ugly Delicious, the expansion to Majordomo and beyond, and the pandemic pivots that forced new playbooks. We also lean into the human: the temper, therapy, leadership overhauls, and Eat a Peach’s candor about building something and not letting it break you—or your team. Craft, culture, growth: the Chang effect is less a brand than a permission slip to cook honestly and think out loud.