David Chang

Born on August 5, 1977, in Arlington, Virginia, David Chang grew up with a passion for golf before pursuing a career in culinary arts. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School and Trinity College, majoring in religious studies. After college, Chang lived in Japan, where he taught English and worked in a soba shop, deepening his experience in Asian flavors. Upon returning to the United States, he enrolled in the French Culinary Institute in New York City, supplementing his education with work at Mercer Kitchen and Tom Colicchio’s Craft restaurant. He also worked at Café Boulud before developing a desire to create his own culinary vision, departing from traditional fine dining establishments.

In 2004, Chang opened his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in the East Village, marking the beginning of the influential Momofuku restaurant group. He expanded his culinary footprint with Momofuku Ssäm Bar in 2006, followed by the intimate Momofuku Ko in 2008, which quickly earned two Michelin stars. His innovative concepts continued with Momofuku Milk Bar, co-founded with Christina Tosi, known for playful desserts like Crack Pie and Cereal Milk. Beyond New York, Chang ventured internationally, opening Momofuku Seiōbo in Sydney, Australia, in 2011, and Momofuku Toronto in 2012, which housed multiple dining experiences. Throughout his career, Chang has continuously explored new culinary ventures and expanded his brand, influencing the global food scene.

Chang’s career also includes extensive media work. In 2010, he appeared in HBO’s “Treme” and as a guest judge on “Top Chef: All Stars” and “MasterChef Australia.” He hosted the PBS series “The Mind of a Chef” in 2012 and later created, produced, and starred in the Netflix original series “Ugly Delicious” (2018), and “Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner” (2019). His media presence continued with “The Next Thing You Eat” (2021) and “Dinner Time Live with David Chang” (2024–present). In 2020, he made history as the first celebrity to win the $1,000,000 top prize on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for the Southern Smoke Foundation. He also co-founded the food magazine “Lucky Peach” in 2011, which ran for 25 issues, and has authored several cookbooks, further solidifying his role as a prominent figure in the culinary and media landscapes.