David Chang’s Top 3 Essentials for Tiny Kitchens

Chef David Chang’s Momofuku restaurants and media successes have earned him multiple Michelin stars and plenty of culinary fame, so it’s no surprise that home cooks and pro chefs crave his expert kitchen tips. On his podcast “The Dave Chang Show,” Chang frequently addresses listener questions, and he recently dedicated an entire episode to answering them. 

In the episode, Chang shared his favorite hot sauce and spilled his hot takes. One listener who lives in a “tiny 400 square foot apartment” asked a question that almost every New Yorker (myself included) can relate to: “If I can only own three pieces of cookware, what are they and why?” Read on to learn why he thinks every kitchen needs a Breville toaster oven, a microwave oven, and a quality rice cooker.

David Chang’s Small Kitchen Appliances

Toshiba Countertop Microwave Oven

If you’re working in a studio apartment or dorm-style room without a traditional kitchen setup, a microwave is the first thing you need to outfit your kitchen. “You can do so much with a microwave,” he said. “We don’t need to discuss the benefits of a microwave.” Our editors named this Toshiba model the best value microwave after extensive testing, and it’s on sale right now. While it doesn’t have extra bells and whistles like Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, it’s reliable in its simplicity. It has a few useful presets and a sensor to track moisture levels when reheating food.

Zojirushi 5.5-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker

Next up, Chang suggests investing in a good rice cooker: “A Zojirushi or Cuckoo — those are expensive, but worth it.” While he initially considered “one of those pressure cookers that also are air fryers,” he concluded that they’re “quite big” and not so easy to operate. “You’re constantly fidgeting with it,” he said. This Zojirushi rice cooker, on the other hand, makes rice and other grains at the touch of a button. It has over 10,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. 

 Cuckoo 3-Cup Rice Cooker

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, opt for this 3-cup rice cooker from Cuckoo. It features nine cooking modes and can make fluffy rice, sponge cake, braised pork, and oatmeal. “This rice cooker has a clean and minimal aesthetic and fits well on my small kitchen countertop,” said one happy shopper. “For folks living on their own or with one other person in a smaller space, the size of the cooker is perfect!”

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

The final item that every small kitchen needs is a countertop convection oven — and not just any model will do. Chang specifically suggested the Breville Smart Oven, especially if you don’t have a standard oven. “A toaster oven is an oven. And an air fryer,” said Chang’s cohost Chris Ying. Indeed, this air fryer toaster oven can do it all, including toasting, broiling, baking, roasting, air frying, slow cooking, and dehydrating. It also has presets for pizza, cookies, and bagels.