Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations Season 4 Episode 12 Ho Chi Minh City
- TV-G
- November 15, 2016
- 21 min
Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations takes viewers on a culinary journey around the world to explore the most unique and exotic dishes from different regions. In season 4 episode 12, titled "Ho Chi Minh City," host Andrew Zimmern travels to Vietnam to explore the vibrant and delicious food scene of the city formerly known as Saigon.
The episode starts with Zimmern heading to a local market in the city, where he demonstrates his knack for spotting the freshest produce and best ingredients. He tries his hand at bargaining with the vendors, while sampling some of the delicious street food on offer, like banh mi, a Vietnamese-style sandwich made with crispy baguette and a variety of fillings including chicken pate, coriander, and pickled vegetables.
Next, Zimmern visits a local coffee shop, where he samples Vietnam's famous ca phe sua da, a strong and sweet coffee made with condensed milk. He also tries egg coffee, a unique coffee creation that's made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and coffee, resulting in a sweet and creamy drink.
One of the highlights of the episode is Zimmern's visit to a local noodle factory, where he gets to see how the iconic Vietnamese dish pho is made from scratch. He watches as workers knead and roll the dough, before slicing it into thin, delicate noodles. He then gets to taste the finished product, sampling bowls of pho that are filled with tender, flavorful slices of beef, noodles, and fragrant herbs.
Zimmern also explores some of the more unusual dishes that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer, like balut, a fertilized duck egg that's boiled and eaten whole, with the embryo still inside. He also tries grilled goat meat, a specialty dish that's cooked over an open flame and served with rice noodles and herbs.
Throughout the episode, Zimmern meets with local chefs and food experts who share their passion for Vietnamese cuisine and provide unique insights into the country's culinary traditions. He also visits some of the city's top restaurants, including a French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant that takes classic dishes and puts a modern twist on them.
The episode ends with Zimmern reflecting on his experience in Ho Chi Minh City, marveling at the rich and diverse flavors that the city has to offer. He notes that although Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations has taken him all around the world, Vietnam's capital has a special place in his heart, thanks to its vibrant food culture and friendly people.
Overall, season 4 episode 12 of Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the diverse and exciting food scene of Ho Chi Minh City. From classic dishes like pho to more unusual eats like balut, this episode offers a tantalizing glimpse into the fascinating world of Vietnamese cuisine.