Ep 12. New York City

In the season 1 finale of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern explores the diverse and eclectic food scene of New York City. From traditional Jewish delis in the Lower East Side to a Ghanaian restaurant in the Bronx, Zimmern showcases the unique cultural melting pot that is New York cuisine.

First, Zimmern visits Russ & Daughters, a family-owned appetizing shop that has been serving up smoked fish, cream cheese, and bagels for over 100 years. He discusses the history of Jewish cuisine in the city with the fourth-generation owner and tries a classic bagel and lox sandwich.

Next, Zimmern heads to Chinatown to try dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor, the oldest dim sum restaurant in New York City. He samples a variety of dishes, including shrimp dumplings, steamed pork buns, and egg custard tarts, and chats with the restaurant's owner about the importance of maintaining tradition in the modern food scene.

Zimmern then travels to Queens to visit Arancini Brothers, a Sicilian street food stall that specializes in rice balls stuffed with various meats and cheeses. He tries a few different flavors, including classic ragu and spicy chorizo, and speaks with the owner about how he brought this popular Sicilian snack to the streets of New York.

In the Bronx, Zimmern visits Papaye, a Ghanaian restaurant that serves up traditional West African dishes like fufu and jollof rice. He speaks with the owner about the challenges of running a restaurant that serves such a unique cuisine and tries some of their signature dishes, including tilapia soup and goat stew.

Finally, Zimmern ends his culinary tour in the heart of Times Square at Junior's Cheesecake, a famous bakery that has been churning out New York-style cheesecakes for over 70 years. He tries a slice of their classic plain cheesecake and learns about the history of this quintessential New York dessert.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and preserving traditional cuisine in a rapidly changing city. He showcases the vibrant food scene of New York City and encourages viewers to go out and try new things.