[3] The second season contained only half as many episodes as the first, likely due to Chang's increasingly busy schedule and the birth of his first child.

Mike Hale wrote in his review for The New York Times that Ugly Delicious is "an extended television essay, in the form of free-associative, globe-trotting conversations about food and culture.

The website's critical consensus states, "Ugly Delicious injects new life into the food documentary by dispensing with culinary pretensions and celebrating a vibrant spectrum of dishes that are sure to whet audience appetites.

[8] Greg Morabito of Eater called the series' first season "maddeningly good" claiming that it, "raises the bar for food/travel shows.

"[9] Jen Chaney of Vulture praised the show's first season for raising important cultural issues and taking "a highly egalitarian approach to cuisine.