Ep 2. Philippines

Bizarre Foods season 1 episode 2 takes Andrew Zimmern on a culinary adventure to the Philippines. Known for its unique flavors and dishes, the Philippines is a food lover's paradise.

As soon as Andrew lands in Manila, he is greeted with the aroma of pork and garlic. He visits a carinderia, a local eatery, where he tries a traditional Filipino breakfast of tocino (sweet cured pork) and sinangag (garlic fried rice). Andrew is blown away by the explosion of flavors in this simple yet tasty dish.

Andrew then heads out to the Quiapo Market, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Manila. Here, he tries a variety of street food that reflects the vibrant Filipino culture. From balut (a fertilized duck embryo) to adidas (grilled chicken feet), Andrew is not afraid to try anything.

Next, Andrew travels to the province of Pampanga, known as the culinary capital of the Philippines. Here, he tries a dish called sisig, made from pig's head, ears, and liver. Despite its unconventional ingredients, Andrew is pleasantly surprised by the deliciousness of this dish.

Andrew then heads to Angeles City to try the local specialty, lechon, a whole roasted pig. He visits a lechon restaurant, where he watches the entire pig being roasted on a spit. Andrew then enjoys a plate of crispy, succulent lechon meat with a side of spicy vinegar.

The next stop on Andrew's journey is the province of Batangas, where he gets to try a uniquely Filipino dish called arroz caldo. This savory rice porridge is made with chicken, ginger, and fish sauce. Andrew is impressed by the comforting flavors and textures of this dish.

Andrew then travels to the fishing village of Anilao. Here, he gets to try a less-known but deeply loved Filipino dish called tamilok. Tamilok is a woodworm that is eaten raw with vinegar and chili. Despite its slimy appearance, Andrew finds the tamilok to be surprisingly delicious.

Finally, Andrew heads back to Manila, where he visits a Chinese market that sells exotic meats like snake, turtle, and live fish. Andrew tries a dish made from live king crab, which is cut open and cooked with garlic and soy sauce. Andrew is amazed by the freshness and sweetness of the crab meat.

Overall, Bizarre Foods season 1 episode 2 highlights the unique and bold flavors of Filipino cuisine. Andrew's adventurous palate takes him to markets, restaurants, and fishing villages where he tries everything from traditional Filipino breakfasts to grilled chicken feet and slimy woodworms. Through his journey, Andrew discovers that Filipino cuisine is about more than just the food - it's about the people, the culture, and the deep-rooted traditions that make it so special.