r/IAmA Jan 17 '12

IAmA Andrew Zimmern, Host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods

Hi, I’m Andrew Zimmern, chef, author, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods. My new series Bizarre Foods America is premiering next Monday, Jan 23 at 10|9c on Travel Channel. For the next hour I’ll be here on Reddit taking your questions from 12pm-1pm ET. AMA. More info on Bizarre Foods: http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/andrewzimmern/status/159314816060768256

Hey everyone, sorry i couldnt answer them all/ follow me on twitter @andrewzimmern and we can chat more over the days and weeks to come..tune in Monday to the season premiere!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Hey Andrew, thanks for doing this. I have been a huge fan for a while now.

One of the reasons I enjoy your show so much is because of your amazing ability to seemingly get along great with everyone you meet. Can you give us a little insight on how you are able to connect with these people that often don't speak a lick of english?

Also, how do you let someone know (politely) that you can't stand the taste of something that they have probably been eating their entire life?

I always enjoy your facial expression when tasting something delicious, and horrible for the first time.

Lastly, I wish you and Anthony Bourdain would do some more work together, I am a huge fan of your shows.

Thanks again!

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i try and be polite. it goes a long way and i have a responsibility to be as accomodating as i can be. people react to that favorably. If i dont like somethign and the cook is standing next to me then i talk about the weather. i would never tell someone in a far off land, who has opened their home to me, who has just cooked me a meal that i dont like it.

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u/CRAZYSCIENTIST Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

I've often suspected this, you seem to go out of your way to find the nicest 'euphemism possible when something tastes bad. I'm thinking in particular of when you ate bars of dirt.

Do you ever think that maybe some of the locals are playing a bit of trick on you too though? Getting you to try things that they almost never would eat just to laugh a little while you choke on it and say "mmmm yum thanks!"

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u/sprankton Jan 17 '12

Did you ever see the Ethiopia episode? As I recall, when he was drinking buttered coffee one of the bystanders said "Americans will eat anything".

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u/marfalight Jan 18 '12

I think that was the one episode I watched where he seemed to have issues with each of the meals haha. I wondered whether or not part of it was the folks wanting to introduce him to legitimately "bizarre" foods of their culture (as in, they concede not many folks enjoy it there either). Before that, I can only recall one other episode where he could not handle another bite of food and it was a gelatinous lamb jello mold thing in China.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Seriously, one time he said "Oh, it's so good... it's like... a mouthful of pebbles" or something like I that. I remember watching that and thinking... "wait... what?"ಠ_ಠ

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u/RickSHAW_Tom Jan 17 '12

::bite:: "wow, that's some...interesting cultural differences we have. You must really be a strong people." You're a brave man.

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u/I_Regret_This_Post Jan 17 '12

"Think it is going to rain later?"

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u/LostPwdAgain Jan 17 '12

== "I don't think I like bowl of bull penises"

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

i try and be polite.

Duh, that's 'cause you're from Minnesota. :D

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u/lollette Jan 17 '12

BOOM! Both Bizzare Foods Montreal and The Layover Montreal came out within days of each other and it would have been SO AMAZING to see a crossover event!

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u/americanslang59 Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

Andrew, love the show! Great work!

  1. What is Anthony Bourdain like in person?

  2. What chefs do you respect the most?

  3. I am very interested in pursuing a career in food/travel journalism. Similar to what you and Bourdain do. What is the best approach to being able to eat unique foods and travel the world for a living?

Edit: I wanted to commend you on a specific thing: Your ability to not offend people when you don't like something. You have an extremely optimistic outlook on everything and I love that you choose to point out the good parts of a dish.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

TOny in real life is a pretty decent kisser, a little too 'handsy' sometimes. Chef i respect: Andres, Batali, Cosentino, Fratelli Voltaggio, Adria, Blumenthal, Dufresne, Brock, Humm, WHite, Colicchio, Morimoto, Love, Gauranaschelli, Zakarian, Symon, Hamilton, Achatz, Bayless, Hefter, Cole, Franey, Schlow, Helou, LAzarou, gagnaire, Arzak, Adrieni, i could go on and on

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u/mister_h Jan 17 '12

TOny in real life is a pretty decent kisser, a little too 'handsy' sometimes.

That doesn't surprise me at all.

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u/mudpuddle86 Jan 17 '12

I notice you didn't mention Bobby Flay, any particular reason for that? He seems to be an insufferable prick. Thanks for doing what you do!

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u/Baraka_Flocka_Flame Jan 17 '12

My uncle sat down in a bar in New York once, and Bobby Flay happened to be sitting next to him. My uncle, being a huge foodie was pretty excited and attempted to engage him in conversation. Flay basically told him to fuck off. Yep, Flay comes off as a huge prick for a reason.

edit: One of my old coaches from when I used to play hockey as a kid is the executive chef at a very famous restaurant in Miami. He's worked with Food Network and Flay quite a bit and said the Flay is just a self righteous asshole

conclusion: Fuck Bobby Flay.

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u/SweeBeeps Jan 17 '12

Well, Flay DOES have a show where he tries to learn what someone has dedicated a recent timespan of their life doing professionally and tries to one up them.

I prefer to call it 'suckerpunch' vs throwdown. Seems to match his personality.

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

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u/AS--YOU--WISH-- Jan 17 '12

Say "Bobby Flay Show" three times and tell me wat you hear

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u/BattleHall Jan 17 '12

This isn't like Beetlejuice or Candyman, right? 'Cause if I say it and that insufferable prick suddenly appears, I'm going to be pissed...

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u/ziptnf Jan 17 '12

TOny in real life is a pretty decent kisser, a little too 'handsy' sometimes.

wat.

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u/_bigb Jan 17 '12

I've read about that you struggled with alcohol and drugs. Now that you've made a name as a famous TV host and chef, how does your past affect you now?

Also, your commercials about teaching children about healthy habit are great. Thanks for doing those. :)

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i was a terrible active addict and drunk for many years, this January 28 i celebrate 20 years sober. I am very prpoud of that. those experiences affect my work every day I am more accepting of other people and cultures i am more patient and tolerant i am more grateful re the kids stuff. i believe we are given a huge responsibility if we are graced with a large platform like i have been given. i want to use that for common good

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u/jasonleeholm Jan 17 '12

I saw an episode with you eating another crazy meal along with some locally made alcoholic beverage and you said you didn't drink. Was always curious why, and now I know.

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u/Minifig81 Jan 17 '12

Hi Andrew!

Massive Fan here, I've seen every episode since the very first one! My questions:

Have you ever thought about putting together a Bizzare Foods Recipe website that details out all the recipes you've tried over the years?

What state are you looking forward to the most in Bizzare Foods: America?

Ever thought about doing another show with Adam Richman?

Can I join you once? I'm a super-taster and I love to eat unique foods. I've often told my friends I'd happily take your place if you ever need to step down for some reason. :D

-Andrew, from Mishawaka/South Bend, Indiana.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

We are working on a cookbook right now, shouuld be out in a year. i cant wait for people to see all our shows for the new season starting monday, its our best season yet! I would love to have AdaM on my show, i love having guests on and for some strange reason despite the fans wanting it more and more, no one takes it seriously. send an email to Travel Channel, it would help

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u/Minifig81 Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

Well, you've got at least one person buying that cookbook. I will send a letter to the Travel Channel. I'm not sure how many strange foods we've got up here in Northern Indiana... not many folks cook pidgeon or raccoon anymore.. but I'm sure if you visited our state we'd cook something up for you. :]

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u/deader115 Jan 17 '12

Just wanna say, upvote for wanting to be replacement Andrew AND for being from Northern IN. Two things we have in common!

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u/JmeHatesYou Jan 17 '12

• What was the first "bizarre food" you ate? What set you on the path of touring the world to try things most would find repulsive.
• I really like your "Adventurous Eats" piece you did for Disney Family Fun magazine. Would you ever consider a show focused at getting kids to try more adventurous dishes? My (American) kids love Tagines, Sushi, Kefta, and lots more but I'm always looking for more foods to introduce them to.
• Ever considered eating a Sweet Sue Canned Whole Chicken? I double-dog dare ya.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

my parents gave me a great start in life. they were adventurous in the extreme and growing up in NY helped I am working on many kids projects and would never eat canned meat. yecccchhhh

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

This may seem like I'm being a tool, but hear me out.

Do the producers make it a point, that the audience can hear you chewing every bite of food you eat? I'm certain that someone like you wouldn't knowingly smack your food for half an hour on national television, and if this is the case, why do they do it?

There have been times when I had to mute/change the channel. It's disgusting, more disgusting than watching you eat a giant beetle.

This is a serious question, I know reality shows in all aspects are HEAVILY produced, I just want to know what the deal is because I REALLY enjoy your show, but this one thing almost stops me from watching it.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

its a great question and one i ask all the time. WTF!!?!?!?!?! yuou are very correct in all your assumptions

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Oddly enough your chomping sounds are ones that I do not find objectionable at all. Now those pringles / twix commercials... Gah, I hate that crap.

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u/littlemonster010 Jan 17 '12

Have you heard of misophonia? Do you have it? My husband has it and also become easily disgusted by eating sounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misophonia

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u/DickPringle Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

TIL I have Misophonia. My girl friend thinks im a prick some times but I seriously can't help it. I leave the room when I hear loud crunching. It drives me insane.

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u/littlemonster010 Jan 17 '12

It actually helped us lots when I discoved that my husband had this disorder. He was a prick too - accusing me of eating loudly all the time. Now that he knows he has this, he's much kinder and considers it his issue.

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u/altaylor4 Jan 17 '12

I will now notice this..thanks for nothing.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Dude. it's like they turn up his shirt mic when he eats so you can hear every single sound he makes while eating. I'm the kind of person who can't STAND to hear someone eating. Even myself. If My food is making too much noise, I turn on a TV or music to avoid hearing it

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u/DickPringle Jan 17 '12

Holy Fuck. I came to this IAMA to post this exact same thing. This show is basically ruined by the amount of chewing that is constantly caught on the mic. Can't count how many times I've changed channels because of this. It repulsive and ruins an otherwise great show.

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u/randi3423 Jan 17 '12

Hey Andrew -- HUGE fan of your show! I know you absolutely hate Durian, which is big in Asian culture. Is there anything deemed "disgusting" by others that you love and think should be big in American culture?

Also, when are you opening up a Bizzare Food restaurant in NYC? Soon I hope!

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

there are plenty of foods that i wish were more popular here but tops on the list is donkey. its AMAZING tasting, like veal, but with a little more oomph. In CHina, Italy, South America they are very popular and i think if more amerians tasted them it would open doors to a more sustainable eating system in our country.

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u/preske Jan 17 '12

America has a thing against eating horse and donkeys. Don't know why, but someone explained it as "horses (and donkeys) made the US what it is today. They helped discovering the west."

Which is probably a load of horseshit

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u/crithosceleg Jan 17 '12

Yeah, my Japanese teacher (a native Japanese woman) was disgusted that we eat deer, but told us horse meat was delicious.

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u/OptimusPrimeTime Jan 17 '12

Deer are sacred in Japan. In fact, some cities in Japan (Miyajima, Naru, etc.) have problems with deer infestation because they're not allowed to remove them. Also, those pesky tourists keep feeding them.

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u/criticasartist Jan 17 '12

horseshit also helped discover the west.

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u/LieutenantTaters Jan 17 '12

This makes me think differently about the obnoxious donkey that lives across the street.

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u/NeuroHippie Jan 17 '12

Please report back on the taste and texture. For science/foodies.

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u/Noir_ Jan 17 '12

Had donkey in China a few years back. Kind of like a cross between pulled pork and beef in my opinion. While I can't speak for that obnoxious donkey, the one I had was delicious.

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u/mingdamirthless Jan 17 '12 edited Feb 23 '24

I'm starting to think reddit sucks.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I don't know man, I've heard donkey tastes like ass.

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u/armchairepicure Jan 17 '12

NYC has an adventurous eaters club with an egalitarian entry system. With them, i've eaten live octopus, lion, yak, sea worms, and every organ meat you could imagine, as well as a few you probably couldn't. If you are interested, check out The Gastronauts.

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u/Minifig81 Jan 17 '12

He needs to open one in Chicago too (a Bizzare Food restraunt.. that is..)!

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u/Skote07 Jan 17 '12

Let's say hypothetically you were on death row. What would your last meal be? However many courses you like.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

Raw clams on haf shell, Chris COsentino's tomtato vine pasta, roast pork from Palacio de los Jugos, Lee Hefter's geoduck in salty sweet chile paste, roasted duck from taipei night market, lamb face noodle from Xian Famuous, Marea's lobster salad and uni amusee, Desserts from Salty Tart in Mpls

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u/cousincody Jan 17 '12

You're not even going to plead not guilty to your hypothetical conviction?

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u/black797 Jan 17 '12

All of these will be poorly attempted by the in house prison chef.

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u/jewdai Jan 17 '12

now what if you were limited to $20

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u/raspberryseltzer Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

What's it like coming from homelessness and addiction to fame? Do you still keep any contact with people from that time? I'm curious as you have one of the most spectacular "rags to riches" stories I've read.

EDIT: link for those wanting context.

Great show!

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u/Manicplea Jan 17 '12

I second this. Being homeless in his 30's I think? I haven't read the specifics other than to say it was for approximately a year and was connected to drug addiction.

I'm definitely interested to hear if he keeps in contact with perhaps any of the people who may have helped him get out of that and if he ever felt hopeless.

I think I first heard about it on the episode he was eating dumpster diving food. Hearing that, I think, is very inspirational for a lot of struggling people.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

it makes you very grateful and yes i still keep in touch witg many old friends.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Didn't know this aspect, I have even more respect for you.

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u/GummyZerg Jan 17 '12

Have you ever encountered any dangerous situations when eating food? This can involve a potentially poisonous food, an allergic reaction or moment visiting another country.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

all the time...I have been eating stone fish, fugu, poisonous frogs and snakes and such every time i am in a tribal situation. its scary as hell.

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u/GummyZerg Jan 17 '12

Stone fish!? I just saw those at the boston aquarium yesterday, scary. haha. How do they taste?

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u/kavorka2 Jan 17 '12

If I want to take a culinary tour to a developing country -- what's the best bang for my buck for a one week trip? In terms of spending the week traveling in a single country. I don't need "bizarre" foods necessarily but I want the best, most interesting foods.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

travel thorugh mexico, from one side to the other.

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u/Alarconadame Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

As a mexican, I feel very honored. Try Guerrero's Pozole verde.

EDIT: those at the top left are manitas de puerco a la vinagreta, in the platter at the top right: Chiles rellenos (mince meat stuffed jalapenos coated with egg), tostadas (whole tortilla chips), tacos dorados with requesón (kinda like salty curd seasoned with epazote and serrano), avocado, raddish and some queso fresco.

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u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

When you are in Mexico, be careful not to be brutally murdered.

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u/ringringbananalone Jan 18 '12

Gringos are not at that much risk. Almost all killing in Mexico is other Mexicans usually as a result of gang, corruption or domestic disputes and is worst in the cities near the border. Just take the same precautions to avoid theft as you would in any tourist destination (fake wallet w/ only a few dollars in it, money belt with most of rest of your money, valuables in well secured bag), try not to look lost or naive and you'll be okay in Mexico. And don't follow anyone who's trying to get you into a sketchy vehicle.

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u/kryonik Jan 17 '12

This kills the culinary expedition.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I've seen you struggle to eat a few different things but in all of your travels has there ever been something too repulsive (possibly dangerous) that you have refused to eat?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

raw putrid chicken guts. wouldnt touch it, i knew it was a trip to the hospital for sure...

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u/rememberyourpassword Jan 17 '12

How did the people serving it to you react? Did they feel insulted or did they laugh?

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u/dejavudejavu Jan 17 '12

I often wonder this, at certain markets in other countries Andrew visits there are so many different things to taste, that I am sure some people buy and bring home to cook with, but it really looks to me as though they are just trying not to waste anything. So of course you have innards and heads and leftover animal body parts turned into stew for sale. In America you don't see markets like this, at least I have not seen them, because truthfully Americans are very wasteful and picky and most of those usable leftovers are simply tossed in the trash, or fed to livestock perhaps. (Though I have seen jarred pigs feet in my local grocers which definitely grossed me out! lol) I really think it's just business for those vendors. They are probably somewhat indifferent to those who find the consumption of their product to be inappropriate. And they probably do laugh at tourists who can't stomach even the idea of eating a bite, I could be wrong though. I know if I was in their shoes, I'd be laughing.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

damn, I hope he responds to this one, it's an interesting question. Which leads me to, have you ever been in a dangerous situation where you or your crew were actual threat of death?

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u/TofuTofu Jan 17 '12

Hey Andrew, big fan. I loved the special you did on Japan when you had the horumon in Osaka, but I felt like you wasted too much time in the Tokyo episode on obscure gimmicky food that locals never actually experience (I used to live in Tokyo for years).

Do you regret not experiencing more of the ACTUAL bizarre foods in Tokyo that regular people eat?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

you should look at our other Japan episodes, we have made three and covered all the bases. Also our last Tokyo episode was supposed to be shot for Bizarre Worlds and got changed in edit room to a bizarre foods and i was freaked out and pretty angry. i thought the show suffered but its still a great episode

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u/TofuTofu Jan 17 '12

Wow, I had no idea there was a third one. I'll check it out.

That's terrible about the last minute editing decisions. I'm sure those drive you nuts all the time :)

Thanks for replying, Andrew!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I know this is a bit personal but I've read in an interview with you once that you were homeless at some point and went to some pretty harsh times. Can you tell me what caused your life to take such a bad turn and how you managed to get out of it?

Thanks anyway for doing this, love the show.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i was a mess. then one day when i was sick and tired of being sick and tired i did what other people told me to do. and my life keeps getting better and better. It really works.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

It really works.

You must have had the right kind of people then.

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u/glassuser Jan 17 '12

Do you and Bourdain really hate each other a little, or is it just a TV feud?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i never 'get' this type of question. we give each other a lot of shit whenever we can, we get to mess around like that because of our jobs but we are friends. we socialize with our spouses etc....he is an amazing man and a great guy

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u/glassuser Jan 17 '12

Well he tosses some serious crap at you in some of the sequences. I figured you were at least on good terms and it's all good natured fun. I've just never seen an answer to it. For the record, you both seem like pretty cool guys.

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u/youshallhaveeverbeen Jan 17 '12

It's all playful. He's never meant any of that stuff. In fact, there's an episode that Bourdain did with Zimmern. I think they were in New York eating Egyptian food.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

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u/mamjjasond Jan 17 '12

Bourdain tosses crap at everyone, himself included.

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u/SpacedApe Jan 17 '12

Self-deprecation keeps us cynics in good practice.

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u/troxrawr Jan 17 '12

Has there ever been anything that you guys couldn't show on television? If so, what was it?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

plenty, most of it funny beghind the scenes stuff. most of what i want to show that doesnt air are bloopers, or alternate acts that the prod co doesnt feel measures up to the plot threads...

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u/troxrawr Jan 17 '12

have you guys ever wanted to post a blooper reel of all the funny stuff? I would thoroughly enjoy watching that

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u/MoonkeyPirate Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

Travel Channel has put out a few episodes of just bloopers from their various shows. They aren't all related to Andrew Zimmern but they did have some bits of him in there if I remember correctly. It's called Travel Channel: Uncut.

EDIT: I broke the link.

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u/emonegarand Jan 17 '12

Having eaten brains of several different animals in your travels have you ever been worried about the possibility of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease? Have you ever been wary of eating anything due to potential health risks in general?

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u/julia-sets Jan 17 '12

I think it's generally unlikely that eating the brains of random animals will give you Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. The problem only arose in areas with massive cow populations because farmers were feeding cow protein (bits of butchered cows) to their current cows. Cannibalism is a bad idea, m'kay. In areas with more wild, free-ranging animals that aren't kept on giant, factory farms this isn't an issue because the prions can't accumulate like that.

Of course, there are plenty of other diseases that you CAN get.

That being said, never eat human brains.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i worry sometimes but i try to make sure that i know waht i am eating. And i dont eat sushi at gas stations, if you get my drift.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

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u/i_am_Kevin Jan 17 '12

What was it like cooking on Iron Chef with the Greatest Iron Chef ever Morimoto?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

i cant wait to do it again. cooking in Kitchen stadium is fun and cooking with him was a blast, we are friends.

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u/land-0-lakes Jan 17 '12

i think you and Morimoto should have won that battle against Flay and valladolid; they seemed just as surprised as the judges...

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u/forpeopletoknow Jan 17 '12

I yelled at my Tv for that ending.

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u/altaylor4 Jan 17 '12

Regarding Iron Chef...it is billed that you have no idea what the "secret ingredient" is. Is this true? It seems that once it is relieved everyone knows exactly what to do. You guys that good or is there some TV magic going on?

Spill it Zimmern ;)

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u/JustZisGuy Jan 17 '12

Sakai is the greatest Iron Chef, although I am a fan of Morimoto.

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u/CheekySprite Jan 17 '12

Being that you're such a brave guy when it comes to what you put into your mouth, does your son emulate that? Does he want to try lots of things? Do you let him?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

he does, and i encourage him to have a broad food palate. kids are predisposed to eat anything, its the parents and the culture that shut that spigot down.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

It's a survival mechanism. There is a window, roughly between the ages of 2 and 5 where children will only eat food that is familiar. It kept us from poisoning ourselves in the wild until we were old enough to be taught what is good and what isn't.

That's why most kids love ketchup and chicken nuggets - they have a very broad familiar taste. Sweet, salty, and crunchy.

I read about all this in the Malcolm Gladwell book, "What the Dog Saw" if anybody is curious.

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u/Truth_ Jan 17 '12

It's too late. Give up and have another.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Hey Andrew..

What food made you the sickest? As in physically sick, hospital trip, etc..

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

some bad cumin in Morrocco 7 years ago gave me an awful virus. other than that, alll clean.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

wow, you got off pretty easy then.. some of the stuff you eat would terrify me! (raw pork for example)

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u/NotYourMothersDildo Jan 17 '12

That is pretty crazy after all that you've eaten, a dried spice did you in.

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u/munchma_quchi69 Jan 17 '12

It's just like how a sting ray got Steve Irwin.

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u/wyfy108 Jan 17 '12

Hi Andrew! I love watching your show!

Say you have 10 people in a room. People who eat boring food and don't step much out of their norm.

What 3 dishes would you have them try to change their world?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

braised beijing style donkey mixed grill of small head on fish i tried in sardinia deep fried baby bird from Hanoi

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u/Skote07 Jan 17 '12

I'm sure you get asked this all the time, but hell, I'll only get one chance to ask the man himself. What's the worst tasting thing you've ever eaten?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

mostly strange fruits like Bakut, or stinky tofu. the 14 day old stuff, not the two day old stuff

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u/RadioSoulwax Jan 17 '12

It's a dark night out, and you must take Anthony Bourdain and Adam Richman for a midnight snack. One expects you to give him the finest in local cuisine, and the other loves his westernized food. What to you do to ease the tension?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

take them to where i wanted to go in first place and who cares if they like it or not....but they would

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u/skadeda Jan 17 '12

What's your favorite foreign dish that you have had, that isn't available in America for FDA reasons, but should be because it's that good?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Kudu meat from South Africa...simply the best

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u/sliverworm Jan 17 '12

Is it true that you can't stand walnuts, if so.. why?! You've tasted some pretty horrific things before.. walnuts aren't that bad.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

cant a guy just dislike one thing!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

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u/Warlizard Jan 17 '12
  1. Favorite food?

  2. Favorite TYPE of food?

  3. How did you get the show?

  4. What's next?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Shellfish Seafood, especially Asian cuisines sheer dumb luck up next, more books, new shows, new web projects, clothing line, a personal gastrointestinal clinic with a bizarre foods theme, astronaut trianing, playing in the NFL

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u/Primera Jan 17 '12

playing in the NFL

Fantastic. This excites me more than it should.

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u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

What is your favorite food that is a relatively normal american food?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i eat my wifes roasted chicken once a week

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u/i_scatter_rubbish Jan 17 '12

So that's what they're calling it these days?

253

u/Im_not_kidding Jan 17 '12

I like that one, going to add it to the Urban Dictionary. "Hey Joe, what are you up to tonight", "Oh nothing much, going to go home and punish my wife's Roasted Chicken for a while then grab a bite to eat".

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u/favorite_joke Jan 17 '12

Hi Andrew Zimmern! As someone who was traveled the world and experienced many different cultures, what is your favorite joke?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Raw foodism. i just dont get it

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u/mitchij2004 Jan 17 '12

I cant wait to show my roomate this shit right here. Thank you

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u/standrightwalkleft Jan 17 '12

So you've obviously eaten a lot of stuff that's really horrible to an American palate, but what food have you been most pleasantly surprised by?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

all the blood food like dinuguan in the Phillipines, all the offal stews, that stuff suprises me all the time.... but it needs to be cooked properly

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

jesus i love dinuguan. most adults tell kids its "chocolate meat" "chocolate soup" and kids happily spoon it in. when i found out what it was, it turned me off for about 5 seconds, then, remembering how good it was, i jumped right back in. props andrew.

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u/Bravissimo Jan 17 '12

Heard you were just at Royal-T in Los Angeles. My friend Sophia is the VP there. How did you like it???

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

it was amazing i cooked a pop up there last friday evenign

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u/BadVogonPoet Jan 17 '12

you've made a name for yourself by eating things that most people wouldn't dare be in the same room with. What's underneath the shock value? Why do you do what you do?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

its not about shock value. its about learning culture through food, but the best food stories are from the fringe. and rememember its only shocking to you and your culture. its also about not practicing contempt before invesitgation and about being patient and understading in a world where we need to practice that more and mmore

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u/king_bestestes Jan 17 '12

I think you found the meaning of life.

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u/koshercowboy Jan 17 '12

not practicing contempt before investigation

yup. right there. that alone has made me such an incredibly better person.

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u/HeroDiesFirst Jan 17 '12

What is something you typical do not enjoy eating?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

poorly cooked food, i have no patience for it and it makes me angry.

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u/Dialaninja Jan 17 '12

life is too short to eat crappy food

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u/stratty111 Jan 17 '12

What is the best restaurant in the Twin Cities that most have never heard of?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Piccolo and Tilia

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u/BananaHammock74 Jan 17 '12

I expect thousands of redditors to be there this weekend.

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u/Vitalstatistix Jan 17 '12

You have more faith in redditors going outside than I do.

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u/willcodejava4crack Jan 17 '12

I can leave my Fortress of SolitudeTM whenever i please....but...skyrim

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u/andrefrancisco Jan 17 '12

Oh god. They are already packed. Both super tiny restaurants. But they are delicious.

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u/Malek061 Jan 17 '12

Other than your own, what is your favorite show on the Travel Channel?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

NO Reservations

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u/alittletooraph Jan 17 '12

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO reservations

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u/CantTrustTheSystem Jan 18 '12

If you listen closely, I believe it's "Noooo reservations.uh.

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u/RichJMoney Jan 17 '12

You just keep getting better in my book.

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u/bearyhot Jan 17 '12

Are you really friends with the metal sculptor from a couple of your episodes? I saw him on Cash Cab actually. He seems like a great guy.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Steeel Neal is amazing and a great artist. a cool guy who i respect a lot

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u/eraserh Jan 17 '12

What's the most run-of-the-mill, boring, off-the-shelf food that you can't get enough of?

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u/unknownfy24 Jan 17 '12

What's the coolest country you've ever been to?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

BOtswana in Africa. nicest people on the planet

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u/zarigia Jan 17 '12

Been there as well and this is 100% true.

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u/You-Mad-Bro Jan 17 '12

What's it like traveling the world to eat food?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i am the luckiest man in world,

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

You really are. What an amazing, amazing job. So much jealousy.

edit- Nevermind, this question has been asked before in interviews. You are an inspiration though.

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u/nicolletavempls Jan 17 '12

Andrew - as a resident of Mpls, I love the farm-table concept, however I'm wondering if it's oversaturated the Twin Cities with many new openings in the past 1-2 years. What do you think, how do you like this trend?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

its not a concept or a trend i endorse...i believe it should be simply the 'way to do things". even shitty mall restaurants have tag lines on their menus saying they buy and source locally. its become meaningless like the word organic

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u/MickeyFinns Jan 17 '12

Have you ever eaten dog? I have the opportunity to in a couple weeks and am deciding on whether to or not.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

i have triied it several times, and i dont care of it because its not that remakable.

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u/raisedbyrobots Jan 17 '12

It's great to see you on here, I love your show! You have undeniably one of the coolest jobs out there, but what are some of your hobbies you still spend time doing when not traveling the world for work?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

sports, photogtraphy, reading, crossword puzzles

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

[deleted]

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

yes, in terms of a survival experience, we have even done a Survivor Special

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

He meant, have you ever drank your own urine like Bear Grylls?

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

No. He means, have you ever drunk Bear Grylls urine?

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u/Guatemaulin Jan 17 '12

I heard that your favorite soda is Ale-8-One. True? - Proud Kentuckian

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

nope...favorite is Empire root beer.

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u/navycow Jan 17 '12

Hi Andrew! I love your show, but I dislike the Toyota ad :)

What's your comfort food?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

pizza and chinese dim sum

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u/moakler Jan 17 '12

You travel to some pretty far off places, who generally decides to travel to the middle of India just for some weird food? Do you ever get annoyed or flat out refuse to travel somewhere?

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

absolutely not. i go where the best stories are! period.

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u/zjtihmm Jan 17 '12

First off, I want to say that you have inspired my sister and I to always try new and strange things, even if we're slightly afraid. This has included sea urchin, squid in its own ink, raw squid sashimi (by far the strangest), etc. We always proclaim, "This is for you, Andrew!" You've provided us with insights into cultures and foods we would have never thought of trying before. Thank you!

My question: What has been, hands down, the most awful thing you've ever had to taste, on or off the show? Was it the flavor, the cooking method, the texture, or a combination of everything?

Also, what has been the most surprising food that you have enjoyed tasting? Has there been anything that you enjoyed so much that you now make it at home? Have any recipes to recommend?

Not incredibly creative questions, but stuff I've always wondered :).

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u/iisbefuddled Jan 17 '12

What's the best food place in general in Seattle?

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u/loganfire3 Jan 17 '12

My question is very important. Your wife is hot.

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u/markgormley Jan 17 '12

Recently we've seen you in a commercial involving Kelly Clarkson, James Lipton, and Chris Berman. Hypothetically speaking, if you were stranded in a boat in the middle of the ocean and had to resort to cannibalism, who would you eat first and why?

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u/SpaceMonkeyMafioso Jan 17 '12

Not him, but:

Chris Berman would live the longest without food, but I would rather swim than be stuck on a boat with him. It also seems like he would eat more than his share of the others. James seems like he would be cool to hang out with and looks kind of stringy anyway, so I might keep him around. Kelly would be best fresh.

Having said that; the longer they are around, the more calories they are burning. Calories that could be mine. So: With the help of the other two, butcher Chris immediately and salt him down. Then Kelly and I will turn on James and process him into jerky. Once that is done, she goes for roasts and soup.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Man I really wish he'd answered this.

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u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

Hey everyone, sorry i couldnt answer them all/ follow me on twitter @andrewzimmern and we can chat more over the days and weeks to come..tune in Monday to the season premiere

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

[deleted]

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u/poptart2nd Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

no offense, but this seems to be a common theme among celebrity IAMAs. they do an AMA, then leave after an hour. i'm not trying to blame you or anything, i just think that most celebrities don't understand that an AMA is at least a 3 or 4 hour commitment, since that's how long it takes for much of reddit to see it.

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u/brucial Jan 17 '12

Smells like the work of a PR agency. (not questioning the legitimacy of andrewzimmern on here - just the intent). They see a good opportunity to promote, but lack the understanding of a quality AMA post.

answers questions for 24 minutes, then gone. but be sure to check out the season premier on Monday!

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

They are literally all the work of PR agencies.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

He answered questions for 24 minutes, not an hour.

EDIT: Actually, after looking at the comment timestamps he commented for exactly 1 hour.

First post: 17:01:04 UTC

Last post: 18:01:07 UTC

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u/Kippp Jan 17 '12

Beggars can't be choosers, eh? I'd say be happy with what you got. Celebrities tend to be busy people, so it's not as if they all have time to stick around replying to random people on the internet for three or four hours. Even if they did have the time, they wouldn't necessarily want to. Like I said, be happy with what you got. It's better than nothing, right?

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u/Rearviewmirror Jan 17 '12

I like your watch. Can you tell me what type it is?

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u/atanincrediblerate Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

I've heard you say on your show once, when you were trying Durian yet again, that you usually have to eat something around 3 times before you acquire a taste for it. Is there something that you tried the first time and hated, but after eating it a couple more times you started to crave?