Ep 1. Twin Cities

In season 8 episode 1 of Bizarre Foods, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, to explore the unique and diverse cuisine of the region. Known for its strong Scandinavian and German influences, as well as its thriving Hmong community, the Twin Cities offer a wide range of food options that Zimmern is eager to try.

Zimmern begins his culinary journey in Minneapolis, where he visits Ingebretsen's, one of the oldest and most well-respected Scandinavian markets in the city. Here, he samples traditional Nordic foods like pickled herring, lutefisk, and blood sausage, all of which he finds surprisingly delicious. He also meets with Anna Purnell, a local chef who is known for blending traditional Scandinavian ingredients with other global flavors, creating unique and innovative dishes.

Next, Zimmern heads over to St. Paul to check out the Hmongtown Marketplace, a bustling, open-air market that features dozens of vendors selling a wide variety of Hmong foods. As he walks through the market, Zimmern tries everything from pork belly skewers and papaya salad to freshly-made egg rolls and fried chicken wings. He also speaks with Hmong locals about the important role that food plays in their culture, and learns about the challenges that the community faces in trying to preserve their culinary traditions in a rapidly changing world.

Back in Minneapolis, Zimmern meets up with chef Lenny Russo, who is famous for his farm-to-table approach to cooking. Together, they visit different local farms and try fresh produce like apples, root vegetables and corn. Later, they head to Heartland Restaurant, where Russo prepares a delicious tasting menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients like elk, duck and lamb.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern also continues to explore the many different neighborhoods that make up the Twin Cities, from the trendy North Loop area to the historic Summit Hill neighborhood. He visits unique eateries like Hola Arepa, which serves up delicious Latin-inspired dishes made with Venezuelan arepas, and Revival, a Southern-style restaurant known for their fried chicken and biscuits.

Overall, season 8 episode 1 of Bizarre Foods offers a fascinating look into the diverse culinary landscape of the Twin Cities, highlighting the rich and varied food traditions of the region. Zimmern's enthusiastic and adventurous approach to food makes this episode a fun and engaging watch for any food lover or travel enthusiast.