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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!

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...

Seasons6

  1. Background image for Noodle
    7.7/10(70 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for René
    7.3/10(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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Chef
    7.1/10(28 votes)

    #9 - Chef

    S1:E9

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Japan
    7.1/10(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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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