Ep 12. Okinawa

In season 16 episode 12 of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern travels to Okinawa to explore the island's unique cuisine and culture. Okinawa is a small island located in the southernmost part of Japan and is known for its longevity. Zimmern discovers that the secret to longevity lies in the island's diet, which includes a variety of local vegetables, seafood, and tofu.

Zimmern immerses himself in the culture by visiting local markets where he samples traditional Okinawan dishes such as goya champuru, which is a stir fry with bitter melon, tofu, and pork; and umi budo, which are small grapes like seaweed that grow only in Okinawa. He also visits a farm where he learns about the importance of the island's sweet potato crop, which is used in many dishes and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Zimmern also visits local restaurants where he tries unique dishes such as tuna eyeballs, which are believed to boost vitality and improve eyesight; and sea snake soup, which is a traditional dish made from the venomous species of sea snake that is only found in Okinawa.

In addition to trying the local cuisine, Zimmern learns about the island's history and culture. He visits a traditional Ryukyu dance studio where he watches local performers, and he goes to a shisa making workshop where he learns about the island's mythical guardian lion-dog creatures.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern showcases the importance of food in Okinawan culture and how it plays a crucial role in maintaining the islanders' longevity. Viewers will be amazed by the unique and delicious dishes, as well as the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Okinawa.

Overall, season 16 episode 12 of Bizarre Foods offers a fascinating and in-depth look into the cuisine and culture of Okinawa, a small island with a big impact on the world's longevity.