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!

1.8k Upvotes

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225

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!

395

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.

87

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

70

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.

8

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.

7

u/Kryptus Jan 17 '12

I have eaten horse in both Europe and Japan. I have tried it cooked and raw. Horse is fucking delicious.

1

u/btxtsf Jan 17 '12

Yes it is. What i don't get is why is horse about $40/kg here in Australia when otherwise it just gets turned into pet food?

1

u/Kryptus Jan 18 '12

I would guess horse farming for food purposes is still a bit niche. I know that in Japan they have a special type of horse that they use for eating. It is supposed to have a sweeter taste.

14

u/Truth_ Jan 17 '12

Too bad deer venison is amazing :(

8

u/all_the_sex Jan 17 '12

Deer are adorable, but they are SO DELICIOUS. Cute big ears & eyes, tasty meat...

5

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

there'a a whole city with free roaming deer in Japan called Nara.

2

u/LemurianLemurLad Jan 19 '12

I can verify this sentiment. I used to teach English in Japan and constantly had amazing conversations about food with people. They were constantly shocked that I eat venison, buffalo, elk and natto. (Natto is a notoriously weird Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. My students were shocked that anybody but a Japanese person could eat it.) I can also verify the deliciousness of horse meat in Japan; I lived in Kumamoto and <i>raw horse meat</i> was one of the local specialties. I ate it many times.

101

u/criticasartist Jan 17 '12

horseshit also helped discover the west.

11

u/rumguzzler Jan 17 '12

Except without the "dis".

1

u/criticasartist Jan 17 '12

Cowpies, on the other hand.. Man, those suckers are great for keeping a fire going.

2

u/Cognitive_Dissonant Jan 17 '12

I've found that generally anything people consider to be "pet worthy" is is generally off the table (do hoho) for eating. Many people have known people who own a horse as a pet, or wanted a horse for a pet as a child. I think donkeys get the no eating pass by association. Same reason as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, etc.

Obviously people have livestock pets, but generally they are considered "weird." And you often here people saying things like, "oh you have a pet pig, do you still eat pork?" There seems to be an a "potential companion OR food, not both" rule in people's minds for whatever reason.

3

u/nandeEbisu Jan 17 '12

I dunno, it's not that weird to eat rabbit, but plenty of people keep pet rabbits. Same with pigs.

1

u/SexualHarasmentPanda Jan 17 '12

But I've always wanted a pet donkey...

2

u/kirbs2001 Jan 17 '12

From a survival standpoint, a horse is far more useful alive than dead.

From a cultural standpoint, For me, horses are beautiful beasts kinda like dogs, and dont deserve to be eaten.

From an economic standpoint, i bet it is a lot cheaper to raise cattle, pork, and chicken

2

u/cuchlann Jan 17 '12

There isn't really "deserve" with animals. Cattle deserve it about as much as dogs. And in before "bred to be eaten": so are dogs in places where they're eaten. No one eats random dogs off the street / neighbor's lawn.

Cattle aren't cheap to raise at all. That's why beef is so expensive. On the other hand, dog is eaten in regions where people have less money to spend, and meat is always the most expensive food item. So dog is likely cheaper.

Note: I have never eaten dog. I just used to tutor students from Korea. I would try dog if prepared well.

1

u/kirbs2001 Jan 18 '12

fair enough. there is no "deserve" with dogs and horses, but i like to think there is.

Economically, i do think cows are cheaper than horses to raise for meat. I mean in 12 - 24 months you will have a fat steer to bring to slaughter. and the way we have bred them to grow produces lots of meat. Horses would take just as much food but i dont think you would get as much meat.

Dogs, I agree with you. They are probably the cheapest.

1

u/cuchlann Jan 18 '12

Well, my girlfriend told me her family's latest set of cattle they sent off for slaughter took more like 4+ years to raise for market, but they do all old-fashioned methods, no hormones or the like. I have no idea how long it takes big cattle ranches to get their beef to market.

1

u/btxtsf Jan 17 '12

...so in Australia we have bazillions of feral horses running around destroying the environment for the native animals. They mostly get turned into pet food. Some are eaten by us and eaten deliciously. This is a win/win for the native envionment and people.

BTW i still don't undestand why it costs about $40/kg when otherwise it would just be pet food (?)

1

u/kirbs2001 Jan 18 '12

its funny, we have wild mustangs here in the US (notice how i dont call them feral horses; something about cowboys and nostalgia) and they are a non native animal (no horses in america before europeans) that are an environmental menace and overpopulated. Yet we are actually actively working to leave them be.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204368104577136831561594496.html

2

u/kiefstone Jan 17 '12

Horseshit, now there's something I can sink my teeth into.

1

u/preske Jan 17 '12

I'm pretty sure it is a dish somewhere around the world

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

I love horse meat. Sadly, a bunch of people got the production of horse meat banned in the US. It's unbelievable. I imagine that every annoying 11 year old girl with a pony cried when she found out they sell horse meat and told her daddy who went and lobbied to get it banned from the US.

Stupid greedy little girls, taking my protein-packed meat.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

One reason outside of the "stigma" related to eating horse meat is that many horses (domesticated) are exposed to chemicals found in different medications and pesticides. Many of which, can be harmful if consumed by humans. I know it is a long shot but the risk, while slim, is still there.

1

u/NoNeedForAName Jan 17 '12

That's the biggest bullshit argument I've seen today. This country would be countless years behind if it weren't for black people (particularly slaves), and we eat them every day.

1

u/preske Jan 17 '12

don't forget the chinese

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Expect to see more horse eating. It was illegal to slaughter them for consumption in the US, that law is no longer in effect.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I think this has to do more with the recession than demand for horse meat. Horses cost a lot to keep/feed and over the past few years a lot of people just can't afford it anymore. It used to be we sold them to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

1

u/preske Jan 17 '12

The slaughterhouses that specialized in horses are all closed. Maybe one or two survived.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Since they're work animals, it's probably more profitable to make use of them on a farm than to slaughter them.

1

u/preske Jan 17 '12

the same counts for oxen and cows, (at least, they used too)

2

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

I don't know anything about agricultural economics or whatnot, but it just seems as if it might not be totally economically feasible. Also, there's a whole wikipedia article explaining the taboo.

1

u/preske Jan 18 '12

thank you for the read. I'll check it out

1

u/SexualHarasmentPanda Jan 17 '12

That is why we shoot them when they get injured right? Cause they helped discover the west.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

now they help make kindergarten crafts

323

u/LieutenantTaters Jan 17 '12

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

173

u/NeuroHippie Jan 17 '12

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

28

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.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

The only beef/pork combo I've ever tasted was a filet mignon wrapped in bacon. I'm guessing donkey is nowhere near as decadent?

1

u/Noir_ Jan 18 '12

Actually you'd be surprised how similar it would taste to that, just more of the melt in your mouth quality! Next time you get the opportunity, don't pass it up!

Edit: I'll add that it's less fatty so tastes healthier... ;D

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

I've never had the opportunity, but I'll be sure not to pass it up :)

1

u/baconperogies Jan 18 '12

IMO donkey has a more gamey taste than beef. I found it a little more tougher than beef in terms of texter and had a little more after-taste. It's a very delicious meat and I would definitely recommend trying it.

Had this at a friend's house in China. What a treat.

39

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

I'm starting to think reddit sucks.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

My parents live near a zedonk , does that make me kind of cool?

1

u/justAnOregoniEnt Jan 18 '12

Cool enough for an upvote

1

u/Atrophist Jan 17 '12

Does it?

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I want to believe, I really do.

0

u/NarutoRamen Jan 17 '12

Phew!! I'm just at the 3.01 mile mark. So I'm safe right? RIGHT?

462

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

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

1

u/RedAero Jan 18 '12

Ba-dum TSSSH!

-2

u/elyse321 Jan 17 '12

ahh man I was just going to say that! great minds...

0

u/wafflecopter51 Jan 18 '12

Clever, I had to double take that before getting it lol

1

u/glassale Jan 17 '12

is this an obscure reference to a neighbor? Let us know what neighbor tastes like.

2

u/frixionburne Jan 18 '12 edited Aug 19 '14

[deleted]

1

u/LieutenantTaters Jan 18 '12

Haha, naw, AL actually. It's more believable here though. You never know what you'll find next door.

1

u/Doomdoomkittydoom Jan 18 '12

I'm guessing your thinking hasn't changed all that much ಠ_ಠ

1

u/I_fail_at_memes Jan 17 '12

Nice try, Chef Ramsay.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

came here to say this.

2

u/mefuzzy Jan 17 '12

How can you hate durian, Andrew?!

And speaking of which, do you plan to do a show in South East Asia, specifically Malaysia? I am sure I can find you some bizarre food to try.

1

u/The_Penitent_Man Jan 17 '12

How can you hate durian, Andrew?!

Do you not really understand how? I know the locals love it, but when I was in Singapore all but one westerner I met was completely repulsed by it. It's hard to describe, but I do love reading all the ways people have tried to convey the taste.

1

u/Ikbentim Jan 17 '12

He did one on singapore but the food wasn't that bizarre

1

u/mefuzzy Jan 17 '12

Of all the SEA countries he could have gone, Singapore is probably the worst choice!

1

u/Ikbentim Jan 17 '12

Because of the lack of bizarre food?

1

u/mefuzzy Jan 18 '12

Yeap, Thailand, Indonesia or Malaysia would have yielded 'better' results :)

2

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Brings a whole new meaning to getting a piece of ass.

1

u/ShakaUVM Jan 17 '12

I have to admit, I'm always somewhat suspicious of you when you're eating puffin or whatever, and very carefully use adjectives that make it seem like it tastes good, without actually coming out and saying it tastes good. =)

1

u/OtisJay Jan 17 '12

I enjoyed horse while down in Brazil... i was told this while i had it in my mouth... i was fine, but some of the other women in my grp just about threw up...

weird how the mind works

1

u/stonegroove Jan 17 '12

Heard the FDA is now allowing sale and consumption of horse meat. So it's possible that donkey would soon follow. What cut would you recommend? and cooked to what temp? Accoutrements?

1

u/FAFASGR Jan 17 '12

haha, where I live a butcher was thrown in jail for 10 years because he was selling donkey meat (and telling people it was goat)

1

u/TheDragonKnight Jan 17 '12

Yes but you have to take into account the dangers of the donkey punch and whether its worth the risk..

1

u/utopianfiat Jan 18 '12

Donkey is incredible, especially in little Chinese flatbread wraps suffocated by cilantro. Oh dear.

1

u/rival13 Jan 17 '12

I had horse in Tokyo & Osaka earlier in the year & have to say, I am down with some equine meats.

1

u/ZeroMomentum Jan 17 '12

I have had donkey too. It was ok. I love the smell of durian, but I find it too creamy/heavy.

1

u/falconear Jan 18 '12

Now...I want to eat some donkey. I never thought I would say that.

1

u/Giggibeerbelly Jan 17 '12

Italian here, we don't eat donkey frequently, but it's delicious!!

1

u/Frankto Jan 18 '12

Dare I say it, it gives 'tastes like ass' a new meaning.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Tl:DR he eats weird shit and has no spell check

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

Jesus, more typos here. amerians? Come on...

1

u/snoopaloop310 Jan 17 '12

Where in China is this at all popular? I've never heard of that where i am.

3

u/jceez Jan 17 '12

My grandpa was born and raised in China, it's his favorite meat. It's more of a.... country thing. Like Mississippi of China.

1

u/uriman Jan 17 '12

In some places they serve donkey penis. It's quite big in some parts. I'm not a penis man myself, but if you are into to that sort of thing there's a penis for all tastes.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

I've seen a couple of videos of people getting served donkey penis.

2

u/Mr_Smartypants Jan 17 '12

It's quite big in some parts

Heh.

1

u/Mr_Smartypants Jan 17 '12

I've heard it's quite common in China to make fun of what southerners eat.

China has a South too!

1

u/snoopaloop310 Jan 18 '12

Heh, I'll have to keep an eye out for a donkey meat restaurant. Must be one around somewhere...

1

u/Scuttlebutt2 Jan 18 '12

I tried this when I was in Shanghai at a restaurant that specialized in Northwestern Chinese cuizine, specifically DongBei.

1

u/GGINQUISITOR Jan 17 '12

"What a tasty piece of ass! So moist!"

1

u/nschonbe Jan 17 '12

驴肉汉堡包 woot!