David Chang is an American restaurateur, author, and TV personality, best known as the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group. The group includes several renowned restaurants, including Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Momofuku Ko, and Má Pêche. He also played a role in the creation of Milk Bar, though it operates independently under Christina Tosi. Chang earned a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute (now known as the Institute of Culinary Education). Before opening Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004, he worked at Mercer Kitchen and other restaurants. The restaurant’s name pays tribute to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant noodles. He is widely recognized for popularizing modern Asian cuisine and has won multiple James Beard Awards, though not seven times. It is remarkable that he began his culinary career only in his mid-twenties after exploring various other professions. Chang has also served as a guest judge on reality shows such as Top Chef: All-Stars and MasterChef Australia. He is the creator, host, and producer of the Netflix series Ugly Delicious, which blends cooking, travel, and cultural history. In 2010, he was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People.
