_Ugly Delicious_ is a Netflix show featuring chef Dave Chang as he travels internationally to sample cuisine and explore its origins; two seasons are currently available. The series has several memorable moments, such as when Chang prepared dumplings alongside elderly women in China or shared chicken in Japan, leading to a genuinely touching exchange where both he and the chef were overcome with emotion and embraced while crying. I also appreciated the _Home Cooking_ episode, which showed Dave celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, and the _BBQ_ installment. However, these positive aspects are about all I found enjoyable. The show initially presents itself as a celebration of simple, flavorful food that possesses heart and meaning, suggesting not every meal needs to be an elaborate culinary masterpiece. As it progresses, though, it becomes clear that it’s less a travel program focused on food and more a commentary on social and political issues, using cuisine as its starting point. I would have been fine with this shift if the show's messaging had remained consistent and less overtly biased. It frequently felt like an episode couldn't pass without a moment criticizing white people or making broad statements about how they damage other cultures. Chang often dismisses white individuals’ understanding of food from different backgrounds, yet he readily utilizes a white British woman fluent in Chinese to guide him during the China segments. This contradiction is highlighted in the _Fried Rice_ episode of Season 1 when Chang visibly rejects food presented to him by the host, chef, and staff—an ironic gesture considering he previously suggested that authentic Chinese dishes need to be simplified for Western palates. The show also includes some immature perspectives on various topics. For instance, guest Serena Dai once commented that she assumes racism is at play whenever someone expresses apprehension about Indian or Chinese food, asking if their fear stems from a pork rib or dumpling rather than the people themselves. This leap to attributing reluctance to racism seemed extreme; sometimes individuals simply have unadventurous tastes, are hesitant to try new things, have had negative experiences, or just dislike certain flavors. Enjoying food is intensely personal and subjective, and Dai and Chang’s repeated attempts to attribute any aversion to food as a form of racism felt like a significant overreach. At times, Chang and his guests come across as simply impolite. Beyond the spitting incident I mentioned earlier, during an American meal at a Chinese restaurant with the owner's son, Chang smugly remarked, "This tastes like intestines. Are people really ordering this?" His tone was aloof and elitist; it was shocking that he said it directly to the man in his family’s business. The series also criticizes widespread trends like yoga and turmeric shortly after expressing a desire for Indian culture to be more widely embraced. Following complaints about limited acceptance of Indian cuisine, they filmed a scene in a bustling Indian cafe/restaurant where numerous non-Indians were present—a point they even noted themselves. The show’s messaging lacks cohesion. When it avoids political commentary or discussions about race, the program is excellent. There's appealing food photography and creative animations and comedy segments that add variety. However, I frequently found myself losing interest as conversations devolved into complaints and conflicting messages. I preferred _Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner_, and suggest watching that instead unless you enjoy politically charged perspectives on food.

Source on TMDB