Bizarre Foods America Season 12 Episode 2 Vancouver: Box Crabs & Bull Kelp

In Bizarre Foods America season 12 episode 2, host Andrew Zimmern travels to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada to explore the local cuisine and discover some new and unusual delicacies. Throughout the episode, Zimmern sets out to uncover the secrets behind two unique Vancouver ingredients: box crabs and bull kelp.

Box crabs, also known as red rock crabs, are a popular delicacy in Vancouver. The crabs are known for their distinctive meat, with a rich flavor that is often compared to the sweetness of lobster. Zimmern visits a local crab fishing boat to learn more about the harvesting process, before heading to a restaurant to indulge in a box crab feast. Zimmern tries the crab in several different dishes, including a traditional crab boil and a dish of crab poutine, a local take on the classic Canadian dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

After exploring the world of box crabs, Zimmern turns his attention to bull kelp, a type of large seaweed that grows off the coast of Vancouver Island. Bull kelp is known for its unique texture and flavor, and is used in a variety of dishes throughout the region. Zimmern takes a boat out to harvest some bull kelp, before visiting a restaurant where he tries the seaweed in a number of dishes, including a kelp noodles with octopus and a kelp flan with blackberries.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern also takes time to explore some of the other unique aspects of Vancouver's food culture. He visits a local farmers' market, where he samples some of the region's freshest produce and talks to local farmers about their growing practices. He also tries a variety of other local foods, including smoked salmon, bison, and a dish of salmon roe with crème fraiche and bannock bread.

Ultimately, Bizarre Foods America season 12 episode 2 is a celebration of Vancouver's unique culinary traditions, showcasing the incredible flavors and unexpected ingredients that make this region such a special and fascinating food destination. Whether you're a fan of seafood, seaweed, or just great food in general, this episode is sure to delight and inspire.