Quotes by David Chang

Food, to me, is always about cooking and eating with those you love and care for.

Im a big sports fan.

People are getting famous now for serving food out of a truck, or for, well, pork buns. I dont know if Im really pleased to be a part of that. Im somewhat terrified of what the future holds, especially in America.

America is a country of abundance, but our food culture is sad - based on huge portions and fast food. Lets stop with the excuses and start creating something better.

I think the basic thing that home cooks can learn how to do is just season properly... If the home cook realized how little salt they use compared to whats needed, it would make their food taste better.

Growing up, my dad owned a restaurant in Washington, DC, and food was something I was passionate about. But when I finally got into it, I felt like it was so late in the game; thats why I worked seven days a week at Craft and Mercer Kitchen. I wanted to see how far I could take it.

Why cant it be awesome to work for a food company? Why cant we create an environment where people are trying to push each other to do great things, and were not trying to steal from anybody - were trying to be good to our farmers and run an honorable business, if there is such a thing anymore?

I find that there are a lot of similarities between French and Japanese food. I think theyre two countries that have really systemized their cuisine and codified it.

I love chicken. I love chicken products: fried chicken, roasted chicken, chicken nuggets - whatever. And going to Japan, I would see that these chicken were smoked and then grilled and then have this amazing crispy skin.

If people think you are this amazing, own it.

Fear is a driving force for most of the things that I do. I dont know if thats healthy.

Cooking and gardening involve so many disciplines: math, chemistry, reading, history.

“You need to believe more deeply than anyone else. You build a cult by showing everyone that you are willing to go further than all of them to see out your vision. You cant ask everyone else to swallow the Kool-Aid if youre not going to take the first gulp.”

“You never know whos going to hold the keys to the castle. Its tempting to think youre too important to speak to the young intern whos been sent to interview you or the blogger who only has fifty followers. But if they approach you respectfully and earnestly, you should never be so stupid and arrogant as to dismiss them. If you brush off one too many smart kids, youre bound to make a lifelong enemy out of a future media mogul.”

“I was going to either fail or thrive, and I was going to do it in full view of everyone I respected and resented.”