Heat Seekers Season 4 Episode 1 Brooklyn's Take on Taiwanese
- February 18, 2022
In the first episode of Heat Seekers season 4, hosts Aaron and Roger head to Brooklyn to explore the culinary fusion of Taiwanese and American cuisine. The episode focuses on exploring the various unique dishes found in Taiwanese cuisine and how they can be reimagined and recreated with an American twist.
The hosts start their journey at Win Son, a restaurant located in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Win Son is famous for its take on Gua Bao, a Taiwanese dish featuring steamed buns filled with juicy pork belly and a variety of toppings. Aaron and Roger sample the Gua Bao and are impressed with the perfect balance of flavors. From there, they head to 886, another Taiwanese-inspired restaurant with an emphasis on noodles and dumplings.
At 886, the hosts try one of their signature dishes: pan-fried pork dumplings with spicy soy sauce. The dumplings are a hit with Aaron and Roger, who rave about the unique texture and flavor profile. They also try a bowl of beef noodle soup, a classic Taiwanese dish that has become a staple in the Brooklyn food scene.
Next, the hosts visit Win Son Bakery, a bakery connected to the Win Son restaurant, to try their famous pineapple cake. Pineapple cake is a traditional Taiwanese dessert that has become popular in Brooklyn due to the city's diverse food scene. After trying the cake, Aaron and Roger head to the kitchen to experiment with creating their own version of the dish.
The hosts then visit the Brooklyn Night Market, a popular food festival that showcases the diverse cuisine found in the city. At the market, they meet Xin Jiang, an entrepreneur who is combining Taiwanese and American flavors in her dishes. Xin gives Aaron and Roger a taste of her famous "Taiwanese Sloppy Joe," a sandwich made with a soft bun, crispy pork, and pickled vegetables.
Inspired by Xin's unique take on the traditional Sloppy Joe, Aaron and Roger head to their own kitchen to create their version of the dish. They use ingredients like hoisin sauce, pickled vegetables, and crispy pork to create a delicious sandwich that fuses American and Taiwanese flavors.
Overall, the episode showcases the creativity and innovation found in the Brooklyn food scene and how different culinary influences can be combined to create unique and delicious dishes. The hosts' willingness to experiment and try new things serves as an inspiration for viewers looking to explore the world of food and flavor.