Momofuku: A Not So Un-Vegan Cookbook

Seven days into vegan month there are a few more things I know for sure.

A vegan diet can easily become a carb-fest.

Soy yogurt feels dusty going down.

And I’m going to Momofuku when this little experiment is over.

Momofuku is a New York restaurant group run by this bad ass, foul-mouthed, chef named David Chang.

The Momofuku cookbook is the “IT” read for food geeks and my turn to borrow it finally came up at the library last week. Since then I have been eating legumes and soy while looking at pictures like this


Reading about the happy, farm-raised pork, and ramen noodles served at Momfuku reminds me why I decided to take on the vegan challenge in the first place. This is about becoming a more mindful meat eater.

We don’t need steaks to be so cheap that we have them multiple times a month. Steak is supposed to be a special occasion thing. Let’s start eating more expensive meat like the stuff they serve at Momofuku. Let’s start eating hams with a history.

Momofuku is the best cookbook I have ever read. Full of narrative, it’s an underdog story that champions sustainability and there are a surprising number of recipes I could actually make.

From foie gras to fried chicken, this cookbook is not vegan, but the respect for food and the animals slaughtered to make it, is real. David Chang and the Momofuku gang are like vegans that eat meat and one day I want to be just like them.

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19 comments:

  1. This was a very good post. Thanks I'll have to check out this book.

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  2. I haven't been interested in this book because I figured that all of the recipes would be out of my league...but now I'm not so sure!

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  3. JESUS! I want that dish right now for lunch. BUT, unfortunately, I'm working off the pounds that i put on over the holidays. THIS sucks.

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  4. I'd love to go to one of David Chang's restaurants one day. I'll have to check that cookbook out.

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  5. Eating more consciously has its advantages, and one of them is being healthy. I like what you have said here, and am looking forward to reading this book!

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  6. I have to stress that this cookbook is worth a read for the narrative alone. The fact that there are some do-able recipes is just an added bonus.

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  7. Looks cool, I will have to check it out thanks

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  8. OK Devon, I'll see if my library has it; if not, perhaps Amazon used. Can't wait to read it!

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  9. I'm sold too...will have to check out if the local library has got the book. I eat meat too, and I do agree about becoming more mindful of where it came from and how it was raised.

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  10. Sounds like my kinda book! Raw and real!!!!
    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    Stop back by anytime

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  11. I am putting that book on my reading list.

    I gotta be honest, the soy is what I had the most problems dealing with when I did the Vegan experiement- I decided that I just don't like soy. Oh, not drinking my afternoon Diet Coke was the other most difficult part.

    Only 23 days to go! We are cheering you on!

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  12. My brother in law told me about this book! I want that book really bad.

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  13. This is interesting... I like the idea indeed to eat less meat but enjoy it and respect it!

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  14. Devon, I ordered the book last night on Amazon. :-)

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  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  16. WOW! I'm not sure I could take on a challenge like this one. Way to go! Do you feel better? How do reintroduce meat??

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  17. To be honest, I don't really feel different, but it may be because I'm not a meat and potatoes kind of girl in the first place.

    I am dreaming of manacotti, however.

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FOOD IS ONE OF THE MOST VISCERAL ASPECTS OF A CULTURE; IT CAN BE EXPERIENCED WITH NO LANGUAGE SKILLS, NO GUIDE, AND MOST TIMES WITH VERY LITTLE MONEY.