Viewers with weak stomachs need not tune into the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. He has never turned down a local dish, in fact he gobbles down all offered meals with anticipation. Whether it be skewered goat brains in India or hunting down javelina (a.k.a. skunk pig) for lunch in Texas. Zimmern's willingness to take part in each host culture's food preparation rituals is compelling and provides an eye into foreign cultural traditions that would otherwise remain a mystery to most Westerners.
The First Ever "Penis" Restaurant
One of the more squeamish episodes of Bizarre Foods was when Zimmern visited Beijing, China. Unlike his expeditions to remote villages, Andrew found himself in a high-class delicacy restaurant, Guo-li-zhaung, which specializes in animal penises, offering over 30 varieties on the menu. Andrew candidly critique's his meal, "Snake penis is supposed to be good for the kidneys." He goes on to describe it as less fibrous than he expected and "twiggy." Then Zimmern is served a turtle soup with a smorgasbord of penises alongside. "The yak penis is best of all", he continues, finding no need to use more subtle synonyms like "genitalia" or "reproductive organs." Subtle does not describe Andrew Zimmern.
Maggots, Brains, and Foods with Faces
As a general rule, most Americans shy away from any food with a face or that is still alive. Such rules would be quite restricting for Andrew Zimmern. He ate chontales cheese in Nicaragua, which is aged in the sun until it exudes with maggot larvae, which are served squirming on the plate. Andrew admits the raw crocodile eggs in Australia were not fit for his palate, but he enjoyed the BBQ cow’s head in Texas. Among some of his season 2 favorites are: cow urine tonic in Goa, giant flying ants in Uganda, raw camel kidneys in Ethiopia, fresh goat’s blood in Tanzania, and who could forget the penis soup in China!
Zimmern isn’t all Blood and Guts
If the cuisine on Anthony Bordain’s No Reservations stretches the envelope, then Bizarre Foods with Anthony Zimmern will tear the envelope in two. Viewers with tougher stomachs will be in for a treat. Andrew’s expertise as a renowned food critique adds a softer element to the show, so it doesn’t come off like as a truth or dare game to see who can eat the most slimiest, creepiest, crawliest foods.
Zimmern’s candid approach to eating foods that are considered taboo in Western culture is somewhat refreshing. He is always humble and respectful to the host culture, always expressing his appreciation for their food preparation and rituals. Bizarre Foods is a unique take on food and is worth the watch.
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