Eat a Peach

A Memoir

By: David Chang, Gabe Ulla

Narrated by: David Chang

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the chef behind Momofuku and star of Netflix’s Ugly Delicious—an intimate account of the making of a chef, the story of the modern restaurant world that he helped shape, and how he discovered that success can be much harder to understand than failure.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, Fortune, Parade, The New York Public Library, Garden & Gun

In 2004, Momofuku Noodle Bar opened in a tiny, stark space in Manhattan’s East Village. Its young chef-owner, David Chang, worked the line, serving ramen and pork buns to a mix of fellow restaurant cooks and confused diners whose idea of ramen was instant noodles in Styrofoam cups. It would have been impossible to know it at the time—and certainly Chang would have bet against himself—but he, who had failed at almost every endeavor in his life, was about to become one of the most influential chefs of his generation, driven by the question, “What if the underground could become the mainstream?”

Chang grew up the youngest son of a deeply religious Korean American family in Virginia. Graduating college aimless and depressed, he fled the States for Japan, hoping to find some sense of belonging. While teaching English in a backwater town, he experienced the highs of his first full-blown manic episode, and began to think that the cooking and sharing of food could give him both purpose and agency in his life.

Full of grace, candor, grit, and humor, Eat a Peach chronicles Chang’s switchback path. He lays bare his mistakes and wonders about his extraordinary luck as he recounts the improbable series of events that led him to the top of his profession. He wrestles with his lifelong feelings of otherness and inadequacy, explores the mental illness that almost killed him, and finds hope in the shared value of deliciousness. Along the way, Chang gives us a penetrating look at restaurant life, in which he balances his deep love for the kitchen with unflinching honesty about the industry’s history of brutishness and its uncertain future.

©2020 David Chang and Gabe Ulla (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“With humor, pathos and heaping spoonsful of self-deprecation ... Eat a Peach is an honest, ugly, raw dish of a book.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“An entertaining, admirably candid self-assessment of life in the foodie fast lane.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Foodies and chefs alike will dig into Chang’s searing memoir.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Enter The New World Of DC/20

I enjoyed David Changs memoir immensely. I have been a fan of some of his shows and blogs. I thought his openness far exceeds most people I know. Revealing his struggles with mental health encouraged me seek additional support in this area. The details of events and food brought me joy. Amazing mind and heart.

I hope he has changed

David Chang treated my daughter horribly at Momofuku. I hope he has become the better person he says he is. I wish him well but regret my daughter knew him when he was not well.

many lessons

This is more than the life of a chef. it addresses mental illness and running a business. The lessons imparted can benefit everyone not just those wishing to go into the food industry.

Inspiring.

Very translucent, raw memoir. If you love cooking and motivational reads this one is for you.

What a journey

This book was incredible. From his deepest lows to his highest highs David Chang is a genuine, honest, amazing person. Truly inspiring.

Enjoyed it

Book was very enjoyable, and gave a different glimpse into David’s life. Didn’t glorify everything

Honest and Accurate

I am the Chef de Cuisine at a restaurant and could align myself with Dave on most of his analysis of the industry and being a chef. The silent struggle and overwhelming feeling of dread surrounds most of us in the industry. After reading, I called my doctor to talk about starting antidepressants. Thank you Dave for seeing our struggles and making them known. I will be returning to this book regularly.

Brutally honest and entertaining...

Dave’s podcast has helped
Keep me sane during this pandemic. This book feels like and extension of that in some ways. Real, Raw, funny, engaging and entertaining. Thanks for drawing back the curtain.
Dave - It took balls to share this much of yourself. Thank you for doing it.

Thoroughly enjoyed this memoir

I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks during the pandemic. This has been one of the top listens - great life and leadership lessons that can be applied to any industry.

Amazing!

I love how Chef David was able to share his experiences and make what he went through relatable to his readers.