The Dave Chang Show
The Ringer
Dave Chang has a few questions. Besides being the chef of the Momofuku restaurants and the creator and host of Netflix’s 'Ugly Delicious,' Dave is an avid student and fan of sports, music, art, film, and, of course, food. In ranging conversations that cover everything from the creative process to his guest’s guiltiest pleasures, Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 9, 2026 • 1h 21min
Is Honesty Really The Best Policy?
Dave, Chris, and Marc debate whether white lies show compassion or quietly destroy trust. They explore brutal honesty in friendships, misleading food claims, truffle oil, military misdirection, fake orgasms, and the lies people tell themselves. A truffled egg toast taste test adds a deliciously deceptive twist, while Chuck reveals his own tactics for bending the truth.
Nov 5, 2026 • 1h 58min
Did Astrology Believers Win?
Becky Joyner, a producer and professional astrologer, joins a spirited debate about astrology’s reach, origins, and vocabulary. The conversation explores birth charts, Mercury retrograde, Saturn returns, therapy, science, free will, and where belief gives way to skepticism. Along the way, the group tests astrology against Dave’s life, discusses raising children with belief, and serves up crab cakes.
Nov 2, 2026 • 1h 38min
The Many Forms of Intelligence
Dave Chang, Chris Ying, and friends dig into what intelligence really means in an age of AI. They debate IQ versus EQ, the baggage of childhood labels, whether “book smart” is a backhanded compliment, and the many ways people can be brilliant. Along the way, Dave prepares a salmon ikura rice bowl and reflects on cooking as practical intelligence.
Oct 29, 2026 • 1h 16min
Happy Birthday to You, Let's Not Throw a Party
Dave Chang and Chris Ying debate the merits of adult birthday celebrations while making Korean seaweed soup. They tackle milestone ages, surprise parties, gift-giving, birthday obligations, unlucky dates, and the case for thoughtful event planning. Friends at the counter share their favorite celebrations, while Dave imagines an ideal 50th birthday and explains why miyokuk honors mothers as much as birthdays.
Oct 26, 2026 • 1h 23min
The Only Thing to Fear is Irrational Fears Themselves
A fiery cold-noodle challenge launches a wide-ranging conversation about rational versus irrational fears. The discussion spans bears, heights, ghosts, horror movies, public speaking, childhood monsters, extreme spice, near-drowning, and the fear of dying. Personal stories of danger and trauma lead to a debate over measuring everyday risks, capped by a Korean-Sichuan-inspired noodle recipe.
9 snips
Oct 22, 2026 • 1h 34min
Dream Jobs...Aren't What You Think
A family meal of roast chicken and salad sets the table for a candid conversation about career choices. Dave Chang and Chris Ying question the myth of the dream job, while diners share stories of career pivots, remote work, failure, persistence, and knowing when to leave. The discussion explores sampling paths, finding meaningful work, and committing fully once the right direction emerges.
Oct 19, 2026 • 1h 15min
"Irish" Exits, Ghosting, "French" Leave: Leaving Without Saying Goodbye
Dave Chang and Chris Ying debate the etiquette of disappearing: Irish goodbyes at parties, awkward exits from jobs, walking out of terrible events, and when funerals demand a proper farewell. They explore ghosting, breakup letters, dramatic resignations, and whether leaving quietly signals intimacy. Along the way: a cinematic goodbye, a proposed anti-ghosting service, and Guinness beef stew.
Oct 15, 2026 • 1h 29min
Drinking, Gen Z, and Hangovers
A lively conversation about drinking culture, Gen Z missing classic rites of passage, and the fine line between social fun and disastrous blackouts. Stories range from first drinks in the Amazon to ordering nearly every beer in a bar. Along the way comes a debate over the three-drink rule, smaller beers, obsolete flasks, and the ultimate bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for surviving a hangover.
Oct 8, 2026 • 1h 13min
The Next Big Sport with Bryan Curtis and Tate Frazier
Tate Frazier, a Ringer sports writer and podcast host, joins Bryan Curtis, a journalist and media analyst, for a playful search for the next global sports sensation. Over Korean fried chicken, they debate what makes fringe sports break through, weigh sumo, roller derby, MotoGP, and more, then invent Friday Night Duels, a made-for-TV spectacle that wins their bracket.
Oct 5, 2026 • 1h 8min
Are Grudges and Rivalries...Secret Innovators?
Haley Kwan, the Korean-American founder of Dots Cupcakes and Cafe, joins a lively conversation about resentment as creative fuel. They explore Nashville hot chicken’s revenge-fueled origins, the power of competition and rejection, Korean han, famous cultural rivalries, and when anger should finally end. Kwan also shares how identity, betrayal, and business setbacks shaped her path to entrepreneurship.
