Ugly Delicious

What is authenticity? Is pizza Italian, American, or Italian-American? Dave Chang and pals Peter Meehan and Mark Iacono argue the merits of sauce, dough, cheese and nationalism as we journey from Naples to New Jersey and everywhere in-between. Guest stars include Aziz Ansari, Wolfgang Puck.

Stars: Aziz Ansari, Attilio Bachetti, Gary Bimonte
Director(s): Eddie Schmidt

There's more to Mexican food (and Mexico) than meets the eye - and a taco is the gateway drug. Dave Chang joins Jonathan Gold and others on an all-night taco crawl through LA, which launches Dave and buddy Peter Meehan into parallel explorations of Mexican food, in unsuspecting places (Copenhagen; Philadelphia) and the colorful homeland itself. It's a timely look at immigration, assimilation, and globalism...wrapped in a delicious tortilla.

Stars: Gustavo Arellano, David Chang, Roy Choi
Director(s): Jason Zeldes

It's the Great Changsgiving as Dave welcomes collaborator Peter Meehan home for the holidays, and explores the intimate meaning of a family meal in Copenhagen with chef Rene Redzepi and wife Nadine. Guest stars include Mrs. Chang and Jean-Georges.

Stars: Mark Bittman, April Bloomfield, David Chang
Director(s): Eddie Schmidt

When cultures collide, deliciousness ensues. Dave compares and contrasts the food and orthodoxy of Houston and New Orleans via two delicious denizens of the ocean. It's a trek through Vietnamese and Cajun cuisines that eventually suggests a merger of the two - but only after traversing the seas of racism.

Stars: David Berris, David Chang, Allison Cook
Director(s): Laura Gabbert

Who can lay claim to inventing "real" BBQ? Is BBQ uniquely American, or a food of the world? Dave Chang tries to fuse his Korean and American roots as he considers this meaty landscape along with pitmaster Adam Perry Lang, artist Dave Choe, and guest star Jimmy Kimmel.

Stars: Aziz Ansari, Kerry Bexley, Carey Bringle
Director(s): Jason Zeldes

Every culture has a version of fried chicken, but after considering Japan, China and his own Korean roots, Dave must venture to the American South to explore our tasty yet complicated history with the dish. Can you enjoy a food without knowing its history? Guest stars Aziz Ansari, Eric Wareheim, Lolis Eric Elie, David Simon.

Stars: Aziz Ansari, Nick Bishop Jr., Sean Brock
Director(s): Morgan Neville

What is Chinese-American food? Can it be considered fine dining? How different is it from Chinese food in China? Dave and pals including Alan Yang (Master of None) and food writer Serena Dai (Eater) probe these questions as Dave travels all the way to Beijing with expert Fuchsia Dunlop to consider both palates and prejudices. Guest stars Ruth Riechl.

Stars: David Chang, Steven Aaron Cohen, Serena Dai
Director(s): Eddie Schmidt

It's East vs West as Dave and chef Mario Carbone tackle the age-old debate between Italian and Asian dumplings, which brings them from grandstanding podiums to rolling dough with rural grandmas. Ultimately, is good food about technique, history, or heart? Guest stars Ali Wong, Nick Kroll, and Massimo Bottura.

Stars: Kenneth Boon, Massimo Bottura, Daniel Boulud
Director(s): Morgan Neville