Ugly Delicious (2018– ) User Reviews

Great show about food.. and politics.

[mlleonhe · 8/10 · 5 March 2018]

I'm going to start by saying that those who complaint about the amount of political debates in the show, most probably is because they don't agree with Chang's position. But I do... Food is by far, the greatest way to represent a culture, and how much we value some food reflects perfectly how we value the culture behind it. And maybe it's about time that people in the states understand that all this food they like and often consider as their own, comes from cultures such as mexican, chinese, and black people, that deserves to be respected as well. I'm a huge fan of Chang since Mind of a Chef, he is very honest and is not afraid of having uncomfortable conversations, and racism in the food industry is one of those. That being said, the show is great: casual conversations among friends and experts, lots of delicious food, and a beautiful effort of showing that the greatest food of all is not in the expensive, elitist restaurants, but the one you share with your loved ones and is cooked with intention and feeling.

Iconoclastic on purpose

[ellelldee · 8/10 · 10 November 2019]

I enjoy Chang's stance against culinary orthodoxy, even if I don't always agree with it. He equates it with rigidity, and there is some truth to that, when you have some self-styled institute in Naples deciding what is and is not pizza, or things like those ultra-stuffy French contests. But there is value in keeping traditions and maintaining the purity, if you will, of certain foods just because they're really good. You can also still have fusions and crossover, but not everyone has to be busting through the old way to be appreciated. There is something deeply satisfying about, say, a traditional shrimp etouffe or cheese blintz or Peking duck.

I do not at all understand the complaints about it being too political. The history of different foods is to some extent the story of the cultures who make that food. And sometimes those cultures clash. I found it fascinating that he was riding around on the white guys' boats when the Vietnamese shrimpers started working in the Gulf coast. I'm guessing most of the complaints about it being political came from white people, because they get nervous talking about race. But when you're talking to Asians who came to the US, part of the experience that forms the food they serve is how they were received in the US, and how subsequent generations view the situation. For an Asian-American, race is always a thing. He's dealing with his and others' reality. Food is deeply ethnic.

One last thing: I love the music choices. Very cool.

Well worth the time

[cockezville · 8/10 · 17 April 2018]

Enjoyed the show and the commentary, but David Chang is so opinionated as a person- just don't like his personality- that it takes away from the show.

Thought provoking and unlike any other food show!

[leedan91 · 10/10 · 11 March 2018]

I enjoyed David Chang's new show. It was highly original and entertaining. Sometimes in shoes like this there is a certain point where I get bored. I think he knows that and pokes fun at food shows where they get too over the top on describing food.

This series is called Ugly Delicious because it challenges conventional norms about what is good food. I highly recommend this series and the arguments that David is bringing to the forefront of conversations in North America.

Raises the bar!!

[daniel-naderi · 10/10 · 24 March 2018]

I am blown away by Ugly Delicious. I've finished season 1 and can't wait for a season 2.

Each show focuses on a single food item or topic and David Chang travels America and the world exploring it, discussing its history, it's rise and development.

For example, the episode on fried chicken wasn't content to just show David Chang eating some fried chicken but he dives into the history of it, teaches us why it's a racial food and why some people won't be seen in public ordering it. I had no idea. I just thought it was delicious. The episode on Chinese food, discusses why Chinese American food is completely different than the food in China and how western tastes are coming to change over time.

This is a far cry from a typical food show that just glorifies a few chefs or is endless shots of food porn. Give it a watch!

Hungry viewing

[klinkny · 9/10 · 28 February 2018]

I loved this show. The fist 6 episodes were great, though the last 2 were less so. In particular I thought the episodes on pizza, BBQ, Viet-cajun, and fried chicken were excellent. I liked that this was not a cooking show - that it was about what food means and about some of the best, most iconic examples of the subject food without getting lost in a Gino's vs Pat's type debate.

See how powerful food truly is

[dganitplatt · 9/10 · 7 March 2018]

I am an amateur home cook with a strong fetish for cooking shows and shows about food and in my opinion this show is one of the best I have ever seen. I love how it explores dishes and topics from a vast array of perspectives, I love how honest it is and I admire how open David change is. I always believed food is one of the most powerful things on earth and this show is both a prof and an explanation to that. Cant wait for Se 2!

Love the food, but not the one-sides, sometimes hypocritical political blabla

[rstySp00n · 6/10 · 13 June 2020]

I like food and thats why I rate this show a 6, I would have rated it higher until I saw the "Fried Chicken-episode" filled with political crap and David himself being a hypocrite. He goes on and on about white people aren't allowed to cook Korean food because he was bullied as a child and he's constantly trying to make his black guests say the same about white people making fried chicken. Funny fact is that they don't give him the answer he wants, just like the Vietnamese fisherman who also didn't give him the answer he wanted about immigration.

Nobody cares if you make spaghetti David, or a pizza, or wear American jeans, so don't tell other people what they can or can't cook!

In some episodes he's all about Japan and the food there, but in the fried chicken episode he's suddenly talking about how he feels as a second grade person in Japan because he's Korean. Worst thing he's again trying to get the same reaction from some black people living in Japan but again not the answer he wanted.

Could have been a great show about food, without the political bs in it, if I want peoples opinions about racism I'll turn on the t.v. right now...

It's more about food history...

[alvinchung · 8/10 · 18 March 2018]

I enjoy the series, but I do find myself wanting to know more about the taste and enjoyment of the food after each episode-this is a testament to how well the food is presented so it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Each show I'm edified by the origins of the featured food and how it's prepared differently in various regions but delving into its origin often reveals an ugly history. Hence why I guess this series is named so. I will still enjoy the food that is covered by the series but now I'll be more aware of its ugly history.

Growing up as the 1st generation for my family, I can relate to some of the issues because my parents ran a Chinese restaurant and experienced the same hurdles.

Good food show... stretching race comments

[bennygunner · 6/10 · 24 September 2021]

I love food documentary series. Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown and The Layover were some of my favorites of all time. Like David Chang, Anthony Bourdain had very liberal views. Unfortunately David is taking his hardcore liberal views a bit too far, and tip toeing on boarder line "I hate white people." The stereo types he throws out on white people and the constant attacks on white people are a bit too much, especially considering a lot of his viewers and people that go to his restaurant are white. David, just like all Asians aren't the same, all white people aren't the same.

The good part of the show is very good.

Absolutely perfect!

[jeffreyslijkhuis · 9/10 · 16 July 2018]

Due to Netflix I am sure that David is getting a global audience, which is great. All the places he and his crew visit to find the perfect food is fantastic, the in depth commentairy about the topics are insanely well done as well. Almost a 10/10 for me, giving it just 1 minus point. This is for the 'racial' topic, something that is truely an american thing. Not that this does not need to be mentioned, it just does not need to come back that much. It is a topic for a whole different kind of documentairy. Besides that, I am greatly looking forward to Season 2.

Mutual admiration between Meehan & Chang

[adamsvensson-85642 · 6/10 · 28 February 2018]

First of it starts out great, they are talking about the overall arch. "UGLY food that is DELICIOUS"... But this is maybe in the 3 first episodes but then the show is about the mutual admiration betweem the main characters.

I've always loved Chang, but this feels like his first season of "mind of a chef". Almost the same persons as well. Is Mehaan out of ideas regarding presenting Chang as the great chef as he is?

I thought this show was going to be about what Chang has posted on instagram. Those lovely / ugly pots that probably taste super delicious. How he cooks them and the history about them where he learnt etc.

I mean, the pizza episode is great! but pizza isnt ugly. The vietcajun are awesome and same with fried chicken & dumplings. But those meals are not ugly. Those plates are good looking and for sure delicious.

Wrong title, too much admiration for Chang (we know he is one of the G.O.A.T.S).

Anyhow, it is really viewable and it appriciate but it is just that I wanted more from it.... not to get tricked. (sorry for my english, not my native language).

I want to like this, but . . .

[michael1000 · 5/10 · 13 October 2019]

I want to like this, I really do, but why does so much of this need to be about race. I have no problem discussing the origins and what the food means to that particular ethnicity, but this goes way too far. I'm white and I felt so much unneeded guilt. They completely broad brush that every white person thinks and acts the same way and does not appreciate Asian culture and thinks the food is weird. They say Americans will not eat traditional Asian food, but that doesn't make them hate a culture or ethnicity. It just makes them human and their culture is not used to that type of food.

And David Chang makes himself a complete hypocrite when he says it "pisses him off" when White people say they like Chinese Food, but have never had traditional Chinese food. Skip 5 mins and he is talking to a WHITE Chinese food expert in China. She has him try traditional Chinese food and he spits it out right in front of the chef who prepared it. WTF!?

A show that holds its voice in many voices.

[Jared9001 · 9/10 · 15 March 2018]

When it comes to reality television, the genre that always has interested me the most is food and travel. What I've always liked about the genre is it's ability to represent a culture and take me to a place I've never been, as well as introducing me to something I've never experienced before. Duh, right? Food TV has begun to represent the tastes (pun intended) of every reality television demographic, with different moods and personalities for each audience. But all of these suffer from usually one of two things: these shows are either boiled down to a basic, mainstream view of the culture and cuisine that is mainly targeted towards white middle aged moms and their children (think any show on TLC and a majority of the Food Network), or is aimed at a demographic that believes itself to be superior in taste with a level of pretension that either insults the culture that is engaging itself in or inserts an equally insulting level of appropriation. God forbid they end up doing both. The closest thing I've seen to breaking this mold was Anthony Bourdain's television efforts, and up until now, his entries were my favorites. But even then, these shows were coming from a white, upper class, gourmet male chef's point of view. No matter how much of a "cool dad" aesthetic Bourdain put on, he's still experiencing culture from a point of view that is entirely privileged. Until recently, Bourdain was the only celebrity chef host that was permeating the genre to a mainstream audience, whilst keeping himself mostly unpretentious (although his attempts to do this could very well unintentionally land him in the very direction he was clearly avoiding.) Then enter the new Netflix series from chef David Chang, Ugly Delicious. Ugly Delicious is a show that focuses on a different type of food each episode, dissecting the individual food's culture, its representation, its roots and history, and the reflections of it from various individuals. David Chang brings a new view that is unique to him particularly as a Korean-American chef, and his background and history is referenced frequently. Each episode of the show feels like it's own documentary, about Chang and his personal relationship with a different kind of food or tradition. Now, this isn't anything extraordinarily different. What is different, however, is that this show is not about David Chang experiencing food and culture exclusively. Alongside Chang is a revolving door of casually introduced food-world individuals; Restaurateurs, chefs, food critics, food journalists, cookbook authors, and even actors with a personal connection to the food that they're experiencing. This keeps the show incredibly interesting. Nearly none of these people (besides a brief appearance from Jimmy Kimmel and arguably Eric Wareheim and Aziz Ansari) are talking heads whom you've seen a thousands times before. These are all people who know their stuff because they're actively working on it away from television. This is what keeps the show from approaching the mainstream baseline that the Guy Fieri's of the food tv world so frequently engage in. What's more, there is a story to each episode that makes it unique from every other show of its kind. We jump between different times in Chang's food journey, varying between different company members, and even occasionally omitting Chang entirely. This show is about people, and about food, but does not focus on one or the other exclusively. Here's an example: In the first episode of the show, the Pizza episode, which is my personal favorite, we open to Chang and longtime friend and food writer Peter Meehan observing pizza chef Mark Ianco at his Brooklyn Pizza Lucali, talking about pizza and Ianco's personal craft, to then talking about pizza as a conceptual whole-what makes pizza authentic, what makes pizza, "pizza"?. But then we begin jumping around to different settings and stories. We see Chang and actor Aziz Ansari trying a unique japanese pizza, discussing the culture of japanese cuisine and what is fusion. This continues on the theme of what authenticity is when it comes to pizza and food as a whole, and continues into the following segments: Ianco trying Connecticut pizza for the first time, Meehan and Ianco visiting traditional and conventional Neapolitan pizza restaurants in Naples, Italy, Attilio Bachetti, of one of the oldest pizza kitchens in Naples talking about their tradition and techniques, a charming animated segment about all the ways to fold and eat pizza, Chang visiting Wolfgang Puck talking about his pizza and his freezing of it, Meehan and Ianco observing an italian mozzarella making process, Chang talking to Norwegian/Italian chef Christian Francesco Puglisi about his process and cultural background, trash food writer Walter Green attending a commercial pizza convention, Chang visiting a Domino's location and observing their process to then adouring the blue uniform himself and making deliveries. That is a lot of different content to fit into a fifty minute episode, and each of these segments is woven into each other, coming back anywhere between two to four times, all the while talking about what it is to be authentic, with various ideas presented throughout in a very conversational way that ranges from calmly neutral to incredibly aggressive. To a frequent food and travel television viewer, this approach is extremely refreshing, as it defies the convention of what food and travel TV is, and blends them both incredibly. It's not just about Pizza, and it's not just about New York, or Naples, or anywhere else Pizza is produced- it's about both. All the while doing so in a tone that doesn't avoid pretension specifically, but naturally dips in and out of it, leaving the show with not just one identity or voice, but many. Many of these people come from places of success and privilege, and some of them aren't even entirely aware of it at times, but this adds another layer to its tone. Whether its Chang cooking traditional "white people" Thanksgiving food alongside his Korean mother whilst she cooks Korean, interviewing restaurant chefs on cooking at home, debating on dumplings vs pasta, eating Donkey in china, ordering Taco Bell in car full of food critics, or in what is my favorite scene from the entire series, talking about Asian Americans making themselves more prominent publically with Steven Yeun, the curtain is being pulled back in many ways that we've never seen before in this kind of TV. The individuals who become mouthpieces for the discussion shape it, but they all think rather differently, and while Chang is always a voice in each episode, talking about almost all foods from an Asian American approach, he's not always the primary one, so different views are always being represented. You'd think by doing all this at once the show would be unfocused and even hard to follow, but it's actually quite opposite, being very organized, and cohesive, without ever becoming boring. Visually, the show ranges from creative, colorful, and cinematic, to pretty standard jump cuts and average doc shots that don't reach very far beyond the genre's standard. Each episode has an entirely unique introduction, many of them very cinematic and enjoyable, but sometimes have very little to do with the particular topic the episode is addressing. Some intros flair simply lies in the editing, going for very little further than the bear minimum of an introduction. Some episodes also have informative animated segments that never really feel to have any continuity between episodes, which I think is kind of the point, but this is never explored to its full potential. Much like Anthony Bourdain's productions, each episode of Ugly Delicious has its own thesis layden throughout, which almost always has to do with cultural, racial, and political history. This is the shows biggest strength, and also, its only true weakness. In watching this show, we very quickly learn that David Chang is both progressive and aggressive in his standing by his opinions. Whether it's all but berating a vietnamese New Orleans chef to cook VietCajun food in an area of the country that clings to its food traditions without question, or his asserting his views on working and immigration while in the home of an Vietnamese immigrant chef who believes in long term, vetted immigration, we see that Chang stands by his views that both food and politics should be continually moving and changing. But we also see that he does have a reverence and appreciation for long standing tradition in both respects. While I personally agree with Chang's approach, and what he says about it, I don't think the show ever tries particularly hard to reach an answer; sometimes leaving us floating with no real conclusion, whilst other times it belabors its point. I'm not saying I want to be told what the right thought is- we have Bourdain for that- but there's definitely something here that is extremely interesting and intriguing, but isn't bringing us far enough. Again, we see really good, unique ideas being brought forward, but they're not always explored fully. The show is defying convention, but occasionally stops halfway when it gets tired and relies on the crutches of that convention again. Hopefully, we can see these ideas pushed further in a second season, and really bridge this slight gap in the show. Overall, I really, really enjoy the this first season of Ugly Delicious, and hope to be able to see more. The direction in this show is incredibly refreshing, and is proving again that while you can't reinvent the wheel, you can still modify it. What David Chang has done is brought forth something that all travel and food audiences can nearly unanimously appreciate- something that isn't quite artsy, and yet not quite undignified. Ugly Delicious has a voice in that it is made of many voices, with many different views and backgrounds- and honestly, isn't that something we could use more of right now? 9.2/10

Loved it

[vinerai · 10/10 · 9 May 2019]

This was more than a food show. I like the host David Chang as he was fearless in asking the right questions or calling people food snobs e.g ordering dominos to an italian pizzeria. What a great idea. I hate food snobs. I loved how they detailed the history behind food e.g fried chicken or the vietamese shrimpers. More seasons please!

Form your own opinion. It might not be for you

[doublek30 · 9/10 · 12 March 2020]

They swear, they are opinionated, they are skilled chefs. I love it. The realism they convey at all times is quite refreshing. It's informative, it's captivating, it's funny, and it's slightly political. Just like some food, the show is not for everyone. If you're off put by a man the throws F-bombs then GTFOH. Love it.

It is a great show

[cnpoole75 · 9/10 · 25 April 2020]

Its beyond your taste buds. It is a history lesson in foods from across the world, said honestly and bluntly. Egypt btw is part of Africa not the middle East. Amazing episodes, really insightful.

Finish your storytelling, Chef!!

[jldivelbiss · 6/10 · 4 April 2020]

I love this show minus the storytelling. David Chang and guests never seem to finish their thoughts on subjects. Maybe this is due to poor editing or directing, I'm not sure, but it irritates me to know I'm missing that one elemental moment of truth. I wanted to understand what Indians truly thought about American Indian food but they never showed it minus what they felt about yoga. Otherwise, this show is very lighthearted and very interesting to watch.

At last someone said it.

[puneethcn · 9/10 · 10 October 2018]

What David Chang did here was on a lot of people's mind for a long time but they hesitated to say it out loud for various reasons. Selective appreciation of some food cultures is so wrong and what it does is diminish other food cultures. For some reason stupid people start flowing "trends" in food and lose their originality. "Follow the food" you may say but "trends" change what people eat and the distinction of this food is classier than that is wrong and a lot of food cultures die because people stop eating it as it is not considered "fine dining". Food, of all things is an individual's representation of all his/her living years. It shouldn't be judged by the way it looks. As he rightly said, people should stop charging for food by the way it looks but by the way it tastes. Flavors are a living testament to how rich a culture is and how it evolved feeding billions of people. (Rich or poor) food is for everyone.

Unique Perspective on Food

[Xwanna · 6/10 · 13 November 2022]

David Chang's attempt at detangling complex food mysteries can be a hit or a miss based on who the watcher is. You cannot go into this show expecting to be see the how/where/what of the food item or cuisine type or how you can cook it or the history of the food itself instead the show is a commentary from David Chang, his conversations with friends fellow celebrities what not, about a particular or general food type or item and they go wherever their conversations take them. Chang's character itself is as real and authentic as one can be but he's not a charming intelligent critic like Anthony Bourdain. So watch Chang & Company's Food Adventures at your own risk.

An objective take on food and a challenge to what good food actually is...

[msullivan-30464 · 9/10 · 25 August 2018]

The idea that David (and team) tries to push with this series is that good food does not always mean expensive or fancy. He has no problem doing the unheard of and bringing chain pizza restaurants in the mix of a discussion. He sets the low bar, the high bar and your every day level of cuisine in each topic. It's about culture as much as food with a little light hearted humor thrown in with short skits seemingly picked out of thin air and as much thought, but it's creative and that's why it's important.

A memorable episode about his mother's home cooking really shows who he is as a person.

People who love american chinese food may be slightly annoyed at the episode highlight how it is actually terrible and not what anyone living the chinese culture would seek. If that surprises you, you're likely a white american, plain and simple just like me. This is meant to make you think of what chinese culture is and not what you have been hand fed because it's what "we" as americans will open our wallets, purchase, and eat.

I love the show, I love the ideas of culture enlightening and pushing one's boundaries to find a more true experience through food.

Uneven

[asc85 · 6/10 · 5 April 2024]

I'm sort of late to the party on this series. I am the first new review of this series in about 1.5 years.!

But I had heard good things about this series, and I finally had the time to watch it, so I gave it a try. I think depending on your own food preferences, you will like some episodes, and find others to be dry and boring. I did find some of it educational, particularly the reasons why Indian food is the way it is, and a brief history of why early Chinese immigrants in America opened their restaurants. For me, I really liked the Chinese episode, and I'm going to Toronto later this year, and my wife and I are thinking of trying one of the restaurants they highlight there! I also liked the Steak episode quite a bit. Alternatively, I felt the Home Cooking episode was boring, and his Kids Menu episode, which was basically all about his wife giving birth, was incredibly self-indulgent (the episode itself...not the wife giving birth).

I've read the other comments about this series, and didn't realize that David Chang was so polarizing. I see why some people really dislike him, but I was OK with him. Yes, in Season #1, he's constantly saying how everything can be traced back to people ripping off Asian cuisine, but he finally calmed down about that in the four episodes of Season 2. I didn't think his politics were as overt as some others believe, but I can see why they might think that way.

To sum it all up, I think the show is worth a look, but I'm guessing that based on individual food preferences, you will like certain episodes, and be bored to tears with others.

Mixed message

[parentjm · 3/10 · 4 April 2018]

I guess my complaint can be highlighted by two episodes: The first is about pizza. It frames the series showing us what is perfect about pizza, what a risk taker can do with pizza, what a perfectionist can do with pizza and what a corporation can do with pizza. It shows how even the Americanized version Domino's makes has some value because of a connection to our childhood or maybe just events in our life. How some food can be ugly and delicious, there's value in all cuisine and you shouldn't look down your nose at something just because you can order it on an app.

The second is the episode about Chinese food. It is a celebration of Chinese food and Asian culture. It puts down, and puts down hard, American Chinese food and highlights the reason why Chinese food will never be big here: It has to be eaten by white mouths. They highlight why Chinese food is the way it is over here (a lot of oppression and immigration bans) and tells the tale of a ruined art. Now, I understand that there is anger there because Chinese food is delicious and they want it represented over here but it doesn't fit with the statement made in the first episode.

I guess I didn't like it because it didn't fit tonally. It turned into a celebration of Asian cuisine, which is awesome, but it strayed away from what I took as the message of the series: not all food has to be pretty, not all food has to be perfect. I think if it just wanted to be a show about Asian cuisine you should just call it Delicious and go nuts. I'd watch that show.

Great show!

[j_morales13 · 9/10 · 7 April 2018]

I would have given him a 10 If chef Chang was a little bit more open minded. I get it he is proud of his roots but his comments about even a taco was Asian was a little annoying but still love him and his show and his cooking

Stop with the snowflakes... I like the bluntness and truthfulness of the cast.

[chosbm · 9/10 · 15 March 2020]

Just want to say for people saying it's so political or turned off by the swearing... Give me a break. Go watch some twisted version of Truman Show that just caters to your palates.

Although some of the comments that the cast says may be "offensive" to some, I think this creates an opportunity for dialogue and thinking. It brings people from many different upbringings and culture together to discuss a single theme -- food. You get to see what kind of opinions and thoughts these people have, and at times see that even the most famous chefs have very opposing views.

Would recommend.