Worth It Season 4 Episode 9 $15 Spaghetti Vs. $143 Spaghetti

In this episode of Worth It, hosts Steven Lim and Andrew Ilnyckyj embark on a culinary journey to compare two vastly different price points for a classic Italian dish: spaghetti. They start their quest at Union Pasific, a mom-and-pop shop in Los Angeles, where they try a $15 plate of spaghetti. From the restaurant's tasteful decor to the warm welcome from the staff, the hosts take in the ambiance before digging into the dish. The plate arrives, and they take their first bites—the sauce is traditional, and the pasta is cooked to perfection. Steven and Andrew both agree that the dish is tasty, but they also acknowledge that it could be better.

After their meal at Union Pasific, they visit a few other local spots in Los Angeles to get inspiration. Among them are the Spaghetti Incident (a restaurant with an iconic '90s rock theme) and Alma (a pop-up restaurant with a sustainable food philosophy). After their culinary adventures, it's time for the hosts to taste the $143 spaghetti at 1927 Restaurant. The setting here is more refined than that of Union Pasific, with white tablecloths and a high-end wine list. The dish arrives, and the hosts are impressed by the presentation—the pasta is a striking black color, and the dish is topped with uni and caviar.

Steven and Andrew each take a bite of the $143 spaghetti, and their reactions are very different. While Andrew is amazed by the complexity and quality of the flavors, Steven isn't quite as impressed. They discuss the unique ingredients used in this dish, from the squid ink pasta to the uni and caviar, and they compare it to the simpler dish they had earlier in the day.

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in lighthearted banter, offering their opinions on the dishes they try and discussing what makes certain food expensive. They also share fascinating insights into the restaurant industry, including how chefs source ingredients and how they create their menus.

Ultimately, the episode concludes with Steven and Andrew revealing their verdicts on which dish is worth it—will it be the $15 spaghetti or the $143 spaghetti? You'll have to watch to find out!