Ep 11. Hard to Swallow

In season 12 episode 11 of Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern travels to various parts of the world exploring unique and exotic cuisine that may be hard to swallow for the average person. From Africa to Asia, he dives deep into cultures and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

In the first segment of the episode, Andrew travels to Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa, where he visits a local market to experience the diverse range of edible insects. Here, he encounters seasonal delicacies like mopane worms, a local favorite, and crunchy termites that are a common snack. Andrew is amazed by the locals' skills in cooking these insects and how they prepare them in the most delicious ways possible.

Moving on to Southeast Asia, Andrew travels to Cambodia to try some of the country's unique food options. He visits a local food stall and samples a snack known as 'tree ants with beef.' These are ants that live inside mango trees and are caught by smoking them out. Andrew gets a chance to taste this unique combination of ants with beef and explores the culture that has brought about this delicacy.

Andrew then goes to Laos to taste the famous 'Lao-style sausage,' which contains a unique ingredient: the bile of a pig. He visits a local factory where he watches the making of this sausage and learns about how this ingredient gives the sausage a flavor that is hard to replicate. As he samples this traditional sausage, Andrew is surprised at the unique and tasty flavor that the pig bile brings to the dish.

In the final segment, Andrew travels to South Korea to taste some of the country's most exotic food options. Here, he meets with a local fisherman who takes him on a trip to harvest sea urchins, known as "uni" in Japanese. These spiky creatures have a unique and creamy texture and are a favorite in Korean cuisine. Andrew gets to try them raw, which is how they are typically eaten in South Korea, and as he does so, he admires the way the locals embrace unique food options.

Throughout the episode, Andrew takes a deep dive into cultures and cuisines that may be unconventional and different from what many people are accustomed to. He shows us how these unique foods reflect the history and traditions of the people who enjoy them, and how they represent a way of life that has been passed down for generations. Bizarre Foods Season 12 Episode 11: Hard to Swallow is an exciting journey into the fascinating world of unconventional cuisine, where Andrew Zimmern leaves no stone unturned in exploring the exotic and unique ingredients that make up these incredible dishes.