The Dave Chang Show

Dave sits down with ‘Patriot Act’ host Hasan Minhaj to discuss how he learned to embrace his cultural heritage, the similarities between food and comedy, and using entertainment to make a difference. ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’ Volume 2 is available now on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eunjo “Jo” Park spent most of her adult life learning to be a good cook. But she never had to learn about being a good chef. In the second of a two-part interview, Dave speaks with Jo about learning from failure and finding an authentic identity for the restaurant. The new Momofuku Kawi in Hudson Yards opens today, March 15. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eunjo “Jo” Park turned down many opportunities to manage her own restaurant in order to focus on cooking. Now the executive chef of the new Momofuku Kawi, she finds herself melding her fine dining background with her Korean American heritage. In the first of a two-part interview, Dave speaks with Jo about her path: from immersing herself in Western cuisine and coming back around to Korean cuisine. The new Momofuku Kawi in Hudson Yards opens on March 15. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The culinary arts may seem to be only nominally related to the arts, but there are more similarities between the food world and the art world—in both abstract and concrete ways—than you might think. Dave speaks with Pulitzer Prize–winning art critic Jerry Saltz about these parallels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simple, easy, approachable—these are words that may be used to describe dishes at Sqirl. But the Los Angeles–based cafe did not become one of the most popular restaurants in the city by making dishes in a simple, easy, or approachable fashion. Dave speaks to Sqirl’s chef and owner, Jessica Koslow, about pioneering in breakfast cuisine, the bias against "common" foods, and influencing the rest of the food world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People have subjective definitions when it comes to quality, and food is no exception. To compare one genre of food to another often requires nuance and context, making the whole endeavor that much more difficult. Dave speaks to writer and food critic Lolis Elie about how to evaluate food with care and respect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spoon by H is an unassuming dessert café located in a strip mall near central Los Angeles. Yet Dave named it his 2018 restaurant of the year on this very podcast. In this micropod, Dave sits down with his producer, Isaac Lee, to explain what makes the Korean American family business so special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA has gone through a significant revolution in the past decade, prioritizing efficiency over tradition. The result? A wildly popular league that garners more attention than ever before. Dave sits down with Ringer basketball analyst Kevin O’Connor to compare embracing innovation in the NBA and in the culinary world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The genre of hip-hop music may seem to have little to do with the culinary world, yet there are parallels between the two that dovetail surprisingly well. Dave draws these parallels out with the help of musician and ’Hip-Hop Evolution’ host Shad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Being a chef is a lot more than just cooking; it requires the ability to manage a kitchen and everyone who works in it. Dave learned the hard way that he needed to control his infamous temper in order to excel as a leader. He discusses this and much more with renowned organizational psychologist and three-time New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noma has been considered one of the greatest restaurants in the world for over a decade. Dave’s longtime friend, Noma head chef and co-owner René Redzepi, takes us through how the Danish restaurant flourished with its extraordinary dedication to reinventing Nordic cuisine. We’re trying something new: Send any questions you may have to [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So much has happened to Dave in 2018. Here are his thoughts, unfiltered. We’re trying something new: Send any questions you may have to [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the first year of Majordomo draws to a close, Dave sits down with his key staffers at the Los Angeles restaurant to review the journey since launch. This week, he speaks with the back-of-house leaders: executive chef Jude Parra-Sickels and chef de cuisine Marc Johnson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the first year of Majordomo draws to a close, Dave sits down with his key staffers at the Los Angeles restaurant to review the journey since launch. This week, he speaks with the front-of-house leaders: general manager Christine Larroucau and beverage director Richard Hargreave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year has been a memorable one for food; Dave reviews 2018’s biggest food developments with the help of the Podfather, Bill Simmons. And, of course, they talk about some sports too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef Jeremy Fox reinvented cooking with vegetables at Ubuntu. But the recognition and accolades, in both earning and receiving, were not without their costs. Dave speaks to the ingenious chef about finding balance and returning to the culinary world. You can find Fox’s new cookbook, ‘On Vegetables,’ wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is a worldwide phenomenon, the sixth highest-grossing rom-com of all time, and a cultural touchstone for many East Asians. But for its director, Jon M. Chu, the road to creating the first major Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years meant coming face-to-face with his own heritage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Saison chef Joshua Skenes didn’t become one of the greatest chefs in the world by reading a textbook or by chasing accolades. All that mattered was the food. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filming ’Burning’ allowed actor Steven Yeun to grapple with being in South Korea as a Korean American (9:07), the unique Korean sentiment of “Han” (22:22), and the expectations to represent Asian America (54:20) … all of which Dave can relate to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with Ringer NFL writer Kevin Clark to compare the tension between progress and orthodoxy in the culinary arts to a similar dissonance in the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with 'Good Food' host Evan Kleiman to discuss growing up as a food lover in Los Angeles (1:20), innovation in dining during the '70s and '80s (23:24), the trials and tribulations of operating a restaurant (40:26), and moving on from being a restaurateur (59:04). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by comedian-turned-filmmaker Ike Barinholtz to discuss the uniqueness of the Thanksgiving meal (7:37), how politics bleeds into culture at large (24:43), and finding pragmatism in a fractured discourse (44:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder David Chang sits down with political journalist John Heilemann to discuss Brett Kavanaugh’s controversial appointment to the Supreme Court (4:11) and the future for the United States government (40:12). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this micro-pod, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark to relive the fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229 and the ensuing brawl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with Brigaid chef Dan Giusti to discuss how Giusti’s career led up to becoming head chef at Noma (4:37) and leaving the top position at one of the world’s greatest restaurants to service more people (36:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with Simone chef Jessica Largey to discuss her extraordinary ascent as a prodigious cook in elite kitchens (0:47), developing an artistic voice with food (51:12), and transitioning to opening a restaurant (1:07:30). Largey's new restaurant, Simone, is now open in Los Angeles’s Arts District at 449 S. Hewitt St. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi to recount her experience working under Wylie Dufresne (1:36), how she helped advance Momofuku (14:05), and the trials and tribulations of opening the first Milk Bar (38:22). Milk Bar's new Los Angeles flagship store opens this Saturday, September 22, and will be located at 7150 Melrose Ave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi to discuss the unique challenge of opening a new restaurant (6:37), fostering creative innovation in the kitchen (20:56), and developing a work ethic in high-pressure environments (31:56). Milk Bar's new Los Angeles flagship store opens this Saturday, September 22, and will be located at 7150 Melrose Ave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by cofounder and CEO of Clover Health Vivek Garipalli to discuss how he overcame those who underestimated him (16:56), the power of taking risks when you're young (20:12), and what he learned from buying a hospital and going into the health care business (36:07). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by Shibumi chef David Schlosser to discuss Schlosser’s advanced career leading up to working in Japan (0:56), learning the highest forms of Japanese fine dining as a foreigner (33:43), and challenging the expectations of Japanese food in the United States (53:31). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by artist David Choe along with HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to explore Choe’s extraordinary life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by Philadelphia 76ers guard JJ Redick to discuss the Los Angeles–New York debate (1:05) and the parallels between restaurant management and professional sports (15:00). Then, J.J. turns the tables and asks Dave about the future of the culinary industry and the best food destinations (28:12) before examining the evolution of the modern NBA and how it demonstrates the value of challenging established conventions (40:11). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang continues his conversation with comedian Nick Kroll. They discuss how personal experiences shaped the development of ‘Big Mouth’ (0:38), the importance of work-life balance (18:58), and setting others up for success (30:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang and comedian Nick Kroll discuss how they first met almost 20 years ago (5:08), Nick’s early days in comedy while he was still in college (11:21), why he’s glad his success came later in life (23:53), and finding the parallels between trying to become a comedian and trying to become a chef (29:34). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by Good Girl Dinette owner and chef Diep Tran to discuss what it was like fleeing Vietnam as a child (3:00), how she was inspired by her grandmother's hustle (20:20), the great pho debate (35:20), what it was like to come out to her family (45:45), and the rise of her own business (52:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with ‘House of Carbs’ host Joe House, Momofuku Las Vegas executive chef Shaun King, and Momofuku global director of culinary operations Matt Rudofker to discuss how Las Vegas became a culinary destination (10:55), building a healthy staff culture (24:19), and the unique challenges of running a restaurant in the desert (41:25). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with Lena Waithe to discuss why she doesn't want people to strive to be "the next Lena Waithe" (1:35), where she gets her inspiration (21:01), and why she decided to write in a chef character in her show 'The Chi' (37:22). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by producers Aggi Ashagre and Isaac Lee in this micropod. They look ahead to Thursday's episode featuring screenwriter, producer, and actress Lena Waithe and discuss queer representation in media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by screenwriter and producer Alan Yang in this second installment of their conversation about some of Alan's latest projects (1:18), Asian representation in pop culture (14:49), and how inclusion in Hollywood has evolved over the course of his career (27:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by screenwriter and producer Alan Yang to discuss how he transitioned from studying biology into comedy (5:23), making it in Hollywood (20:11), and some fun behind-the-scenes tidbits that 'Parks and Recreation' fans will enjoy (25:23). Stay tuned for part two of the conversation with Alan Yang in two weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this final installment of the pre-opening diaries, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to discuss the restaurant review process (8:15), dealing with poor reviews (28:05), and what to look forward to on the podcast (54:06). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A brief note on this episode from chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang: "This week on the podcast, I want to open up a little about my own experiences with mental health in the hopes that we can chip away at some of the stigmas around it. I apologize if you’re a regular podcast listener and you find this to be too dark or too self-indulgent, but if it helps any of you feel a little better about seeking help for your own struggles, then it’s worth it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with Olympic gold-medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim to discuss dealing with heightened pressures at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics (2:30), overcoming difficulties growing up as a Korean American athlete (16:12), balancing her snowboarding career with daily life (28:42), and, of course, food (40:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this micropod, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang previews his interview with Olympic gold-medalist snowboarder Chloe Kim by sharing his experiences playing competitive golf as a child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with New Yorker food correspondent Helen Rosner to discuss how food journalism has evolved (15:31). They also discuss how sexual misconduct allegations are being handled in the culinary world (27:01). Read Helen's work here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this not-so-micro pod, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by his producers, Isaac Lee and Aggi Ashagre, to discuss the racist implications behind the public perception of MSG, how Korean cuisine became popular in America, and dealing with cultural appropriation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to discuss launching the Majordomo restaurant in Los Angeles (3:12), the reasons for its immediate success (20:55), and hit menu items (35:49). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ director Rian Johnson and ‘You Must Remember This’ host Karina Longworth to discuss innovating within the confines of expectation and facing subsequent criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his first micropod, chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang is joined by The Ringer’s Mallory Rubin to recapitulate their debate over the controversial film ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi.’ Stay tuned for Dave’s interview with ‘Last Jedi’ director Rian Johnson and film critic Karina Longworth later this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chef and Momofuku founder Dave Chang sits down with HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to discuss developing unique menu items through test dinners (4:32), utilizing local California ingredients in the dishes (28:50), and accounting for customers’ requests (43:31). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices