Ep 5. Jungle Rats and Reptiles

In season 12 episode 5 of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the jungles of Southeast Asia to explore the local cuisine, which includes rats and reptiles. Throughout the episode, Zimmern visits various markets and farms, where he samples dishes made from these unique ingredients.

The episode begins with Zimmern visiting a market in Vietnam, where he sees a variety of animals being sold for food, including rats. He meets with a local chef who prepares a dish of stir-fried jungle rats with garlic and chilies. Despite his initial hesitation, Zimmern tries the dish and is surprised by how much he enjoys it. The chef explains that rats are actually a common food source in many parts of Southeast Asia, as they are plentiful and high in protein.

Next, Zimmern heads to a snake farm in Cambodia, where he observes various species of snakes being raised for consumption. He meets with the farm owner, who explains that snake meat is highly prized in the region for its supposed health benefits. Zimmern tries a dish of fried snake skin and meat, which he describes as tasting like a combination of chicken and fish.

Later, Zimmern visits a village in Thailand where locals hunt and cook wild animals, including snakes and monitor lizards. He meets with a group of hunters who show him how they catch these animals using traditional methods. Zimmern tries a dish of stir-fried monitor lizard with vegetables, which he deems to be quite tasty.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern also samples other local dishes made from more familiar ingredients, such as a seafood soup made with coconut milk and spices, and a dessert made from fresh fruit and sticky rice. He marvels at the diversity of flavors and ingredients found in Southeast Asian cuisine, and speaks with local chefs and farmers about the cultural significance of these dishes.

Overall, Jungle Rats and Reptiles offers a fascinating look at the unique foods and culinary traditions of Southeast Asia. Zimmern's adventurous spirit and willingness to try new things makes for an engaging viewing experience that will leave viewers both entertained and informed about the region's diverse cuisine.