Ep 5. Discovering Columbus

In season 15 episode 5 of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, titled Discovering Columbus, host Andrew Zimmern travels to Columbus, Ohio to explore the diverse cuisine of the city. Columbus is known for its wide array of immigrant communities, and Zimmern dives right in to investigate the unique culinary traditions of these communities.

Zimmern begins his journey at Tensuke Market, a Japanese grocery store that also serves sushi. Here, he tries octopus tentacles and Uni shooters, a dish made from sea urchin. Zimmern notes that Columbus has a large Japanese expat population, which is evident in the wide selection of Japanese foods available at Tensuke.

Next up, Zimmern visits Katalina's, a quaint café serving traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. He tries a popular dish called the Columbus-style sandwich, made with slow-cooked pork, Swiss cheese, and pickled onions. Zimmern notes that Columbus has a rich history of Puerto Rican immigration, which has contributed to the city's vibrant food scene.

Zimmern then samples Ethiopian cuisine at Lalibela Restaurant. He tries a traditional dish called doro wat, which is made with chicken cooked in a spicy berbere sauce. Zimmern enjoys the unique flavors and textures of the dish, and notes that Columbus has a large Ethiopian community that has introduced many exciting new dishes to the local food scene.

At Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, Zimmern tries some of the unique hot dogs available at this popular local spot. He samples a hot dog topped with peanut butter, bacon, and scallions, as well as a hot dog topped with Fritos and mac and cheese. Zimmern notes that Columbus is a city that isn't afraid to take risks when it comes to food, and that the creative hot dog toppings are a perfect example of this adventurous spirit.

Zimmern concludes his trip by visiting Columbus' famous North Market, where he tries a variety of different foods from different vendors. He samples Jamaican jerk chicken, Vietnamese pho, and Polish pierogis, among other dishes. Zimmern notes that the North Market is a microcosm of Columbus' diverse food scene, and that it's a great place to sample a wide variety of different cuisines.

Overall, Discovering Columbus is a fascinating look at the unique and diverse food scene in Columbus, Ohio. Zimmern does an excellent job of showcasing the many different culinary traditions present in the city, and his enthusiasm for trying new and unusual foods is infectious. Any food lover will find plenty to enjoy in this episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.