Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern Season 14 Episode 2 Taipei: Stinky Tofu and Iron Eggs

In the second episode of season 14 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the host travels to Taipei, Taiwan to explore some of the city's most unusual and famed dishes. The episode is titled "Taipei: Stinky Tofu and Iron Eggs" and Zimmern delves deep into the local street food culture, starting with a visit to the Raohe Street Night Market.

At the market, Zimmern tries a variety of dishes including hot and sour soup, pork liver with scallions, and a Taiwanese version of pork sausage. But the highlight of his visit to the market is undoubtedly the elusive "stinky tofu." Andrew is challenged by the strong odor but is surprised to find the dish quite flavorful once he bites into it. Stinky tofu is essentially a fermented tofu dish that's deep-fried and typically served with a side of pickled vegetables.

Zimmern then heads to Yonghe Soy Milk King to get a taste of the restaurant's famous "youtiao," a type of fried breadstick that's usually served alongside soy milk. Yonghe Soy Milk King is one of the oldest establishments in Taipei and is known for using traditional methods to make their soy milk and youtiao.

Another unique food that Zimmern samples on his trip to Taipei is the local "iron eggs." Essentially just hard-boiled quail eggs, these tiny treats get their name from a unique cooking method involving repeatedly dipping them in a soy sauce and tea mixture. The result is a salty, chewy egg that's been transformed into a Taiwanese delicacy.

Next up, Andrew meets up with a local chef who takes him on a food tour of "xiao chi," or street snacks. The two visit a variety of establishments and try dishes like shrimp toast, octopus balls, and a unique shaved ice dessert featuring various fruits and beans.

Zimmern also samples some of Taipei's more upscale cuisine by visiting the Michelin-starred restaurant RAW. Here he tries dishes like a fermented tofu dip, and an uni and avocado dish but is pleasantly surprised by the lack of pretension at the fine-dining establishment.

Finally, Andrew ends his journey in Taipei by visiting the Wanhua District, where he gets to try the city's famous "hu gu jiang," or black sesame paste. The dessert is made from ground black sesame seeds, sugar, and lard and is typically served on a hot-cake.

Overall, "Taipei: Stinky Tofu and Iron Eggs" showcases the wide variety of flavors and dishes that Taiwan's capital city is renowned for. Andrew Zimmern brings his characteristic sense of curiosity and appreciation for local cultures to each dish, making for an engaging and flavorful episode.