Explore season 1 episodes of The Mind of a Chef. Explore detailed ratings, episode summaries, and visualize how the show's quality evolved over time.
Go inside the minds of some of the world's top chefs. Narrated by Executive Producer Anthony Bourdain, The Mind of a Chef is that rare and beautiful thing: an intelligent show about cooking.
Korean-American Author and Chef David Chang visits a noodle factory in Japan, eats the best bowl of ramen in his life, and cooks two incredible dishes with the instant ramen variety. Food Scientist Harold McGee explains how alkaline salts make ramen noodles unique.
★ 7.2/10
(34 votes)
#2
René
S1:E6
Chang hangs out with one of his best friends- who happens to be the world’s top chef- Rene Redzepi.
★ 7.1/10
(37 votes)
#3
Spain
S1:E4
This episode is all about Spain’s influence on Chang’s career. He visits with some of his idols- Juan Mari Arzak and Andoni Aduriz, makes fideos, salt cod omelet and a sponge cake from chef Albert Adria.
★ 7.1/10
(27 votes)
#4
Soy
S1:E13
This episode is all soy; Chang visits tofu and miso factories in Japan, Chef Christina Tosi makes Burnt Miso.
★ 7.0/10
(35 votes)
#5
Rotten
S1:E5
There is something rotten in David Chang’s kitchen and that’s a good thing. Rotten is delicious; katsuibushi in Japan, XO sauce, rotten bananas with Chef Christina Tosi, and Kimchi.
★ 7.0/10
(27 votes)
#6
Chef
S1:E9
Chang makes eggs with his chef pals; Wylie Dufresne, Daniel Patterson, Rene Redzepi, and makes his Ko egg.
★ 7.0/10
(31 votes)
#7
Japan
S1:E10
Chang travels to Tokyo and Kyoto where he visits a street market and Kikunoi, a Michelin three-star restaurant.
★ 6.9/10
(30 votes)
#8
Simple
S1:E7
Dishes in this episode are deceivingly simple; Chang travels to Japan for some Yakitori and high-end sushi, and his pal Daniel Patterson makes beets.
★ 6.9/10
(28 votes)
#9
Gluttony
S1:E8
It’s gluttonous goodness in this episode; over the top indulgence with Joe Beef chefs Federic Morin and David McMillian’s fois gras sandwich, a whiskey tasting Mayhem with Chef Sean Brock at Buffalo Trace in Kentucky and the classic dish Hot Brown served up three ways.
★ 6.9/10
(26 votes)
#10
Fresh
S1:E12
This episode explores the idea of fresh in the kitchen; instant broth, pea agnollini, fresh and aged steak with Chef Tien and Ike Jime with Dave Arnold and Chef Murata in Kyoto.
★ 6.8/10
(46 votes)
#11
Pig
S1:E2
In San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, David Chang discusses pork bushi and prepares pork belly and tonkotsu. Later, he and comedian Aziz Ansari head to Montreal to enjoy a fried bologna sandwich at Wilensky's.
★ 6.7/10
(40 votes)
#12
Memory
S1:E3
David Chang revisits his favorite dishes from childhood and reflects upon summer eating, his time in Japan and golf.
★ 6.7/10
(28 votes)
#13
New York
S1:E11
This episode is all New York with the Torrsi boys, oysters, carrot dashi, and farming. Plus Chang visits native New Yorker Ivan Ramen in Tokyo where he is making ramen that is taking the city by storm.
★ 6.7/10
(22 votes)
#14
Buddies
S1:E16
Chang cooks and goofs around with his friends; Peter Meehan in Japan, Laurant Gras, Set Bains, and Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen.
★ 6.4/10
(21 votes)
#15
Smoke
S1:E15
Chang profiles regional BBQ in North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas City plus the other-worldly smoky bacon from Allen Benton in Tennessee.
★ 6.3/10
(22 votes)
#16
Sweet Spot
S1:E14
Chang’s protégé Christina Tosi makes corn cookies three ways and her three layered Arnold Palmer Cake, Chef Burns makes ice cream and Chang goes strawberry picking.
★ 6.3/10
(22 votes)
#1
Sweet Spot
S1:E14
Chang’s protégé Christina Tosi makes corn cookies three ways and her three layered Arnold Palmer Cake, Chef Burns makes ice cream and Chang goes strawberry picking.
★ 6.4/10
(21 votes)
#2
Smoke
S1:E15
Chang profiles regional BBQ in North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas City plus the other-worldly smoky bacon from Allen Benton in Tennessee.
★ 6.7/10
(40 votes)
#3
Memory
S1:E3
David Chang revisits his favorite dishes from childhood and reflects upon summer eating, his time in Japan and golf.
★ 6.7/10
(28 votes)
#4
New York
S1:E11
This episode is all New York with the Torrsi boys, oysters, carrot dashi, and farming. Plus Chang visits native New Yorker Ivan Ramen in Tokyo where he is making ramen that is taking the city by storm.
★ 6.7/10
(22 votes)
#5
Buddies
S1:E16
Chang cooks and goofs around with his friends; Peter Meehan in Japan, Laurant Gras, Set Bains, and Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen.
★ 6.8/10
(46 votes)
#6
Pig
S1:E2
In San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, David Chang discusses pork bushi and prepares pork belly and tonkotsu. Later, he and comedian Aziz Ansari head to Montreal to enjoy a fried bologna sandwich at Wilensky's.
★ 6.9/10
(30 votes)
#7
Simple
S1:E7
Dishes in this episode are deceivingly simple; Chang travels to Japan for some Yakitori and high-end sushi, and his pal Daniel Patterson makes beets.
★ 6.9/10
(28 votes)
#8
Gluttony
S1:E8
It’s gluttonous goodness in this episode; over the top indulgence with Joe Beef chefs Federic Morin and David McMillian’s fois gras sandwich, a whiskey tasting Mayhem with Chef Sean Brock at Buffalo Trace in Kentucky and the classic dish Hot Brown served up three ways.
★ 6.9/10
(26 votes)
#9
Fresh
S1:E12
This episode explores the idea of fresh in the kitchen; instant broth, pea agnollini, fresh and aged steak with Chef Tien and Ike Jime with Dave Arnold and Chef Murata in Kyoto.
★ 7.0/10
(35 votes)
#10
Rotten
S1:E5
There is something rotten in David Chang’s kitchen and that’s a good thing. Rotten is delicious; katsuibushi in Japan, XO sauce, rotten bananas with Chef Christina Tosi, and Kimchi.
★ 7.0/10
(27 votes)
#11
Chef
S1:E9
Chang makes eggs with his chef pals; Wylie Dufresne, Daniel Patterson, Rene Redzepi, and makes his Ko egg.
★ 7.0/10
(31 votes)
#12
Japan
S1:E10
Chang travels to Tokyo and Kyoto where he visits a street market and Kikunoi, a Michelin three-star restaurant.
★ 7.1/10
(37 votes)
#13
Spain
S1:E4
This episode is all about Spain’s influence on Chang’s career. He visits with some of his idols- Juan Mari Arzak and Andoni Aduriz, makes fideos, salt cod omelet and a sponge cake from chef Albert Adria.
★ 7.1/10
(27 votes)
#14
Soy
S1:E13
This episode is all soy; Chang visits tofu and miso factories in Japan, Chef Christina Tosi makes Burnt Miso.
★ 7.2/10
(34 votes)
#15
René
S1:E6
Chang hangs out with one of his best friends- who happens to be the world’s top chef- Rene Redzepi.
★ 7.7/10
(66 votes)
#16
Noodle
S1:E1
Korean-American Author and Chef David Chang visits a noodle factory in Japan, eats the best bowl of ramen in his life, and cooks two incredible dishes with the instant ramen variety. Food Scientist Harold McGee explains how alkaline salts make ramen noodles unique.
★ 7.7/10
(66 votes)
Noodle
S1:E1
Korean-American Author and Chef David Chang visits a noodle factory in Japan, eats the best bowl of ramen in his life, and cooks two incredible dishes with the instant ramen variety. Food Scientist Harold McGee explains how alkaline salts make ramen noodles unique.
★ 6.8/10
(46 votes)
Pig
S1:E2
In San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, David Chang discusses pork bushi and prepares pork belly and tonkotsu. Later, he and comedian Aziz Ansari head to Montreal to enjoy a fried bologna sandwich at Wilensky's.
★ 6.7/10
(40 votes)
Memory
S1:E3
David Chang revisits his favorite dishes from childhood and reflects upon summer eating, his time in Japan and golf.
★ 7.1/10
(37 votes)
Spain
S1:E4
This episode is all about Spain’s influence on Chang’s career. He visits with some of his idols- Juan Mari Arzak and Andoni Aduriz, makes fideos, salt cod omelet and a sponge cake from chef Albert Adria.
★ 7.0/10
(35 votes)
Rotten
S1:E5
There is something rotten in David Chang’s kitchen and that’s a good thing. Rotten is delicious; katsuibushi in Japan, XO sauce, rotten bananas with Chef Christina Tosi, and Kimchi.
★ 7.2/10
(34 votes)
René
S1:E6
Chang hangs out with one of his best friends- who happens to be the world’s top chef- Rene Redzepi.
★ 6.9/10
(30 votes)
Simple
S1:E7
Dishes in this episode are deceivingly simple; Chang travels to Japan for some Yakitori and high-end sushi, and his pal Daniel Patterson makes beets.
★ 6.9/10
(28 votes)
Gluttony
S1:E8
It’s gluttonous goodness in this episode; over the top indulgence with Joe Beef chefs Federic Morin and David McMillian’s fois gras sandwich, a whiskey tasting Mayhem with Chef Sean Brock at Buffalo Trace in Kentucky and the classic dish Hot Brown served up three ways.
★ 7.0/10
(27 votes)
Chef
S1:E9
Chang makes eggs with his chef pals; Wylie Dufresne, Daniel Patterson, Rene Redzepi, and makes his Ko egg.
★ 7.0/10
(31 votes)
Japan
S1:E10
Chang travels to Tokyo and Kyoto where he visits a street market and Kikunoi, a Michelin three-star restaurant.
★ 6.7/10
(28 votes)
New York
S1:E11
This episode is all New York with the Torrsi boys, oysters, carrot dashi, and farming. Plus Chang visits native New Yorker Ivan Ramen in Tokyo where he is making ramen that is taking the city by storm.
★ 6.9/10
(26 votes)
Fresh
S1:E12
This episode explores the idea of fresh in the kitchen; instant broth, pea agnollini, fresh and aged steak with Chef Tien and Ike Jime with Dave Arnold and Chef Murata in Kyoto.
★ 7.1/10
(27 votes)
Soy
S1:E13
This episode is all soy; Chang visits tofu and miso factories in Japan, Chef Christina Tosi makes Burnt Miso.
★ 6.3/10
(22 votes)
Sweet Spot
S1:E14
Chang’s protégé Christina Tosi makes corn cookies three ways and her three layered Arnold Palmer Cake, Chef Burns makes ice cream and Chang goes strawberry picking.
★ 6.4/10
(21 votes)
Smoke
S1:E15
Chang profiles regional BBQ in North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas City plus the other-worldly smoky bacon from Allen Benton in Tennessee.
★ 6.7/10
(22 votes)
Buddies
S1:E16
Chang cooks and goofs around with his friends; Peter Meehan in Japan, Laurant Gras, Set Bains, and Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen.