Travel Channel 

This guy seems like he is going to make an entire show trying to purposefully shock viewers by eating the grossest stuff possible. Fetal duck egg? Thats almost as sick to me as the practice of eating monkey brains after killing it with a hammer while its closed in the middle of a table unable to move. I know I know, if I don't like it don't watch right?... Well trust me I won't. It just kind of seems like he took his whole show idea from Bourdains super original show. I just felt like stating my opinion its fine if Im alone in this feeling.

The show hasn't even had its debut and I'm already sick of the commercials for it. This show seems like gross-out high school stuff.

hey ieateel and marberiz, you might want to keep an open mind regarding these bizaare foods. you guys might be surprised how these weird and nauseating foods taste really good if you keep an open mind. as they like to say, 'it's an acquired taste'.

i'm from the philippines - the first country mr zimmern will visit this new season - and i'm quite happy he tried balut (duck egg) and others. believe you me, the foods he mentioned on this website are actually what i consider 'comfort food'. if i told you what i've eaten in my lifetime back home, you will not believe it!

just keep an open mind, guys, and enjoy the show.

I have to agree with emzr_pt. Having just returned from a stint in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, I have to commend Mr. Zimmern (and yes, Mr. Bourdain who rules) for exposing us "westerners" to different types of food. I certainly saw some strange things while in S.E. Asia and tried many as well. Not only was ALL of the food from the stalls and markets amazing, eating it with the locals was the best part.
This shows purpose is not to do "gross out" things, but simply to expose people to different and beautiful cultures all over the world. Although the food may be different to us, it is often considered a delicacy, or simply what is available to that culture and should be acknowledged. So, you can keep your steak and potatoes...I'll keep the fried organs on sticks and sweet coconut milk curries for myself!

This show isn't so far from anyones back yard. The ground up various pig parts that I call a 'Hot dog' is quite popular in my country. Think about what is in something and it is likely to churn most stomachs. Hamburger, sausage, etc. Don't judge by the name or ingredients judge by what the pruduct does to the five senses.

I Just wanted to know if any 1 can tell me if you can buy the green slim stuff here and were can you get it,Sounds like something good for your body.

redrubies45: what green slim stuff are you talking about?

I was stationed in the Philippines in the early 80's. When I'm in a different country it is fun to try new things totally opposite of what you're used to. They do eat alot of things I wouldn't even try but I did try several dishes that were very very good. I couldn't get past the balut but I know alot of military personnel would after a few bottles of Philippino beer!

Just a note about Mr. Zimmern...stop the smacking! I don't want to see the food in your mouth while you're talking.

hey gulfdog, i'm sure you're referring to the SanMig beer... love the super-dry version of that one!

i just watched the premiere episode. i love the show; it's very interesting, exotic, and entertaining.

i want to eat a balut. now. even those mangrove worms. not too sure with the coconut worms though.

First and foremost, I am 100% filipino and very proud of my culture. I didn't even know half of those things that filipino's eat. I was born in Manila (capital) and spent quite some time there. I'm 26 now and currently in NYC. I am very excited that Mr.Zimmern too the time out to visit our exotic & wonderful country, the Philippines. Even though he might have tried eating the most grossest things while being there. NOT ALL FILIPINOS eat that stuff. We stay basically with primary food such as BEEF, PORK, CHICKEN & FISH. Those things he had tried on the episode are mostly all DELICACIES. And every island is different, languages and of course different foods. Again, I am happy that this show was put on and I am definitely going to buy the DVD when it comes out. Thanks Mr. Zimmern. TWO THUMBS UP! keep up the GOOD WORK!!

@ieateel - main difference between the monkey brains and the balut? The balut is cooked. Don't knock it till you try it. Don't impose your cultural values on another. At least Zimmern makes the effort to understand a bit of the culture unlike that snob Bourdain.

I appreciate Zimmern's effort in delving deeper into what goes into the "exotic" cuisine he wolfs down. It's not just shock value he's after - as the title of the show says it's just Bizarre Foods.

@emzr_pt: I think redrubies45 is referring to spirulina.

I watched Andrew Z's premier show last night. As a Filipino American I was interested to see the Philippines. I have had balut and the soup (the watery contents) should be sipped before tearing into the duck embryo. I agree with Mr Z, it just tastes like boiled egg...with crunch and feathers.

I think Andrew should not only concentrate on the shock value of exotic cuisine, but also show the more mainstream dishes. He missed a classic Filipino dish, Chicken Relleno, which is a chicken that has been deboned with spices and pork sausage added and stuffed back into the skin for baking. It looks like a regular baked chicken but it's more like a meat loaf.

Time will tell if Bizarre Foods will catch on or if Andrew will only be the sideshow chicken head eating Geek to Mr Bourdains superb show. Good programming BTW, to air it as Bourdains lead in.

And hey Andrew, I noticed you took a pass on Durian this time around..;.

I watched a show on him on Saturday night and he drank some kind of green slim drink and ,,, The Lady that makes it said it was good for you and helps with heath promblems and I want to know if there is a pill form or so that you can buy here. Thank you , I think the show is a great 1 for ppl that like to travel and learn new things

the green drink of which u are talking about is a type of blue-green algae. its called Spirulina. It has a rich socurce of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Spirulina is available in pill or powder form, and yes you can purchase it at your local supplement store.

quote:

Don't impose your cultural values on another

@wordtoyourmother
"Don't impose your cultural values on another"

I was as I said "stating my opinion."
I respect the cultures of other countries although I don't agree with some of the food they choose to eat. I have tried some things I considered gross at first but I do draw a line somewhere as do most people. I was just grossed out by the balut regardless wether it was cooked or not.

Thank you allalone for the info I can not wait to try this

Balut is actually pretty good and so is durian. You need to keep an open mind and try new things. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

quote:

Originally posted by ieateel:
It just kind of seems like he took his whole show idea from Bourdains super original show. I just felt like stating my opinion its fine if Im alone in this feeling.

Many Asians find ordinary cheese to be like eathing a disgusting chunk of rotten butter. Yum. Camerbert anyone?

Bourdain's show is nothing like Andrew's (I like both). When you see Andrew stuffing himself with foie gras burgers in Montreal, or driving a red Caddy convertible to Tom Keller's Las Vegas "Bouchon", then you can make that comparison.

There is some crossover, but not much. For example they both made a pilgrimage to Ferran Adria's El Bulli in Spain. But that's about it. (El Bulli would satisfy Bourdain's taste for the exotic, as well as Zimmern's search for the bizarre, which is the essential difference between the two)

quote:

Originally posted by peaches2331:
Balut is actually pretty good and so is durian. You need to keep an open mind and try new things. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Balut is also greatly enjoyed as an evening snack in Cambodia (called pong tea khon) and Vietnam (trung vịt lon). In Phnom Penh I know of at least one cafe with 20 or so seats out on the sidewalk, and everyone will be enjoying balut with salt and pepper, and sprigs of savory herbs (ususally basil and mint).

I don't recall a similar cafe setup anywhere in Vietnam, but certainly you can buy trung vịt lon at the local markets. Same as Cambodia, they're eaten with salt, pepper, and herbs in a small ceramic egg cup (not peeled in-hand and eaten without spices as Andrew did in the Phillipines).

One evening we had an excellent Vietnamese dinner party here at the house, and we snagged a half dozen prepared trung vịt lon for the final course. I was the only person able to eat not just one, but two in a row. But then again I was fortified with an ample quantity of Glenmorangie single malt scotch. I haven't had one since.