The Mind of a Chef backdrop
Documentary

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!

Binge this in 8h 0m•Peaking at 7.7/10

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.

Airs on
PBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons6

All123456

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 1 - Noodle
    7.7/10(71 votes)

    #1 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 2 - Pig
    6.7/10(50 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 3 - Memory
    6.8/10(42 votes)

    #3 - Memory

    S1:E3

    David Chang revisits his favorite dishes from childhood and reflects upon summer eating, his time in Japan and golf.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 4 - Spain
    7.2/10(39 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 5 - Rotten
    7.1/10(37 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 6 - René
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    #6 - René

    S1:E6

    Chang hangs out with one of his best friends- who happens to be the world’s top chef- Rene Redzepi.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Mind of a Chef

    READ
  7. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 7 - Simple
    7.0/10(31 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 8 - Gluttony
    7.0/10(29 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 9 - Chef
    7.0/10(28 votes)

    #9 - Chef

    S1:E9

    Chang makes eggs with his chef pals; Wylie Dufresne, Daniel Patterson, Rene Redzepi, and makes his Ko egg.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 10 - Japan
    7.0/10(34 votes)

    #10 - Japan

    S1:E10

    Chang travels to Tokyo and Kyoto where he visits a street market and Kikunoi, a Michelin three-star restaurant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 11 - New York
    6.8/10(30 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 12 - Fresh
    7.0/10(28 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 13 - Soy
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    #13 - Soy

    S1:E13

    This episode is all soy; Chang visits tofu and miso factories in Japan, Chef Christina Tosi makes Burnt Miso.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 14 - Sweet Spot
    6.5/10(23 votes)

    #14 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 15 - Smoke
    6.6/10(22 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Mind of a Chef Season 1 Episode 16 - Buddies
    6.8/10(23 votes)

    #16 - Buddies

    S1:E16

    Chang cooks and goofs around with his friends; Peter Meehan in Japan, Laurant Gras, Set Bains, and Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

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 71 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/9/2012. This episode is rated 1.0 points higher than the second-best, "Pig".