Synopsis: In this memoir Momofuku chef David Chang shares the trials he faced throughout his life and how he worked to overcome them, all while building one of the most esteemed restaurant groups in the world.

My Thoughts: It is an interesting task to write a review for a memoir. You can’t critique the story because it’s someone’s life. You can’t be too critical of the writing because most people haven’t trained to be professional writers. So what do I talk about?

I love food writing and any books that share what it’s like to be a chef. I always dreamed of working in a kitchen and sharing in the agony and ecstasy of feeding hundreds of people everyday. As a long-time fan of David Chang’s cooking I was excited to read this memoir and learn his insights into the restaurant industry and a few cooking tips. Sadly, that isn’t what I received.

Instead, this book focuses on the person David Chang, not just his accomplishments. He talks openly about the arrogance he developed as a young golf prodigy and the way it morphed into depression and insecurity when he was no longer a prodigy. He talked about the bullying and racism he faced as a Korean living in Virginia and the resulting embarrassment he felt toward his own culture. These experiences shaped the adult he became and the need to overcompensate, while being plagued with imposter syndrome, drove the success he found in the restaurant industry.

As a book on cooking and working on the line in a restaurant, this falls short. However, as an exploration of how our experiences shape who we are and what happens to us, I found this book interesting. If you’re looking for another Kitchen Confidential this book probably isn’t for you. However, if you want to see how racism and personal demons directly affect one’s psychology then this book might just be for you.