Eat a Peach

David Chang didn't think his Momofuku noodle restaurant would survive beyond its first year when he established it in Manhattan's East Village in 2004. In 2018, he starred in a popular Netflix series and podcast, owned and operated a chain of restaurants with fifteen locations spanning from New York to Australia, was recognised as one of the most influential individuals of the twenty-first century, and had a fan base of more than 1.2 million. In this remarkable, frank, and poignant memoir, Chang tells the remarkable tale of his culinary maturation.

Chang, the son of Korean immigrants, had emotions of loneliness, isolation, and abandonment as a young boy growing up in Virginia. He persuaded his father to lend him money to operate a restaurant after he was unable to get employment after his graduation. Momofuku garnered positive reviews and won culinary accolades for its unassuming vibe and delicious mainstays like pork buns and ramen bowls. Soon after, Chang developed a cult following.

Chang kept expanding Momofuku's reach by launching other restaurants throughout the country. After receiving two Michelin stars for his Ko restaurant in 2009, Chang opened Momofuku's bakery, Milk Bar. With the inauguration of the Momofuku building in Toronto in 2012, which included three restaurants and a bar, he had become a restaurant magnate.

Chang overcame many obstacles throughout his life, but his passion of food and cooking never wavered. The chef battled anxiety, despair, and suicidal thoughts throughout his career. He grovelled to avoid recognition and pleaded not to get honours. In Eat a Peach, Chang shares candidly about his experiences with paranoia, confidence, and opens up about his mistakes, problems, and lessons learned. Chang's narrative is one of fire and persistence despite all circumstances; it is very personal, honest, and modest.