7.7/1070 votes#1 - Noodle
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/9/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1050 votes#2 - Pig
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/1042 votes#3 - Memory
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/9/2012
David Chang revisits his favorite dishes from childhood and reflects upon summer eating, his time in Japan and golf.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1039 votes#4 - Spain
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/9/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1037 votes#5 - Rotten
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/16/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/1035 votes#6 - René
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/16/2012
Chang hangs out with one of his best friends- who happens to be the world’s top chef- Rene Redzepi.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1031 votes#7 - Simple
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/23/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1029 votes#8 - Gluttony
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1028 votes#9 - Chef
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/23/2012
Chang makes eggs with his chef pals; Wylie Dufresne, Daniel Patterson, Rene Redzepi, and makes his Ko egg.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1033 votes#10 - Japan
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/2012
Chang travels to Tokyo and Kyoto where he visits a street market and Kikunoi, a Michelin three-star restaurant.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/1030 votes#11 - New York
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 11/30/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1027 votes#12 - Fresh
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 11/30/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1029 votes#13 - Soy
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 11/30/2012
This episode is all soy; Chang visits tofu and miso factories in Japan, Chef Christina Tosi makes Burnt Miso.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.5/1023 votes#14 - Sweet Spot
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 11/30/2012
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1022 votes#15 - Smoke
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/11/2013
Chang profiles regional BBQ in North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas City plus the other-worldly smoky bacon from Allen Benton in Tennessee.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/1023 votes#16 - Buddies
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/11/2013
Chang cooks and goofs around with his friends; Peter Meehan in Japan, Laurant Gras, Set Bains, and Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Mind of a Chef Season 1
Every episode of The Mind of a Chef Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Mind of a Chef Season 1!
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...
Genre:Documentary
Network:PBS
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Noodle" is the best rated episode of "The Mind of a Chef" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 70 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 11/9/2012. This episode is rated 1.0 points higher than the second-best, "Pig".