For his education, Chang attended Georgetown Preparatory School before earning a degree in religious studies from Trinity College. However, during his college years, he remained uncertain about his career path. After graduation, he explored various jobs, including teaching English in Japan and working in finance in New York.

Culinary Training and Early Career

In 2000, Chang decided to pursue a career in the culinary arts. He enrolled in the French Culinary Institute in New York City, now known as the International Culinary Center. While studying, he gained hands-on experience by working part-time at Mercer Kitchen.

Following his culinary training, Chang moved to Japan and took a position at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo. After spending a few years abroad, he returned to the United States and joined Café Boulud in New York City. However, he became disillusioned with the traditional restaurant industry and sought to create a more innovative and customer-friendly dining experience.

Founding Momofuku: A Culinary Brand

In 2004, David Chang opened his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in Manhattan. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its creative dishes and casual atmosphere. Building on this success, he opened Momofuku Ssäm Bar in 2006, just a few blocks away.

In 2008, he launched Momofuku Ko, a highly exclusive restaurant with only 12 seats. Known for its innovative tasting menus and difficult-to-obtain reservations—which can only be made online through its website—Momofuku Ko has become a sought-after culinary destination.