The Bizarre Truth: How I Walked Out the Door Mouth First . . . and Came Back Shaking My Head

by Andrew Zimmern

Andrew Zimmern, the host of The Travel Channel’s hit series Bizarre Foods, has an extraordinarily well-earned reputation for traveling far and wide to seek out and sample anything and everything that’s consumed as food globally, from cow vein stew in Bolivia and giant flying ants in Uganda to raw camel kidneys in Ethiopia, putrefied shark in blood pudding in Iceland and Wolfgang Puck's Hunan style rooster balls in Los Angeles. For Zimmern, local cuisine—bizarre, gross or downright stomach turning as it may be to us—is not simply what’s served at mealtime. It is a primary avenue to discovering what is most authentic—the bizarre truth—about cultures everywhere. Having eaten his way around the world over the course of four seasons of Bizarre Foods, Zimmern has now launched Bizarre Worlds, a new series on the Travel Channel, and this, his first book, a chronicle of his journeys as he not only tastes the “taboo treats” of the world, but delves deep into the cultures and lifestyles of far-flung locales and seeks the most prized of the modern traveler’s The Authentic Experience. Written in the smart, often hilarious voice he uses to narrate his TV shows, Zimmern uses his adventures in “culinary anthropology” to illustrate such themes why visiting local markets can reveal more about destinations than museums; the importance of going to “the last stop on the subway”—the most remote area of a place where its essence is most often revealed; the need to seek out and catalog “the last bottle of coca-cola in the desert,” i.e. disappearing foods and cultures; the profound differences between dining and eating; and the pleasures of snout to tail, local, fresh and organic food. Zimmern takes readers into the back of a souk in Morocco where locals are eating a whole roasted lamb; along with a conch fisherman in Tobago, who may be the last of his kind; to Mississippi, where he dines on raccoon and possum. There, he writes, "People said, 'That's roadkill!' ‘No it's not,’ I said. ‘It's a cultural story.’” Whether it’s a session with an Incan witch doctor in Ecuador who blows fire on him, spits on him, thrashes him with poisonous branches and beats him with a live guinea pig or drinking blood in Uganda and cow urine tonic in India or eating roasted bats on an uninhabited island in Samoa, Zimmern cheerfully celebrates the undiscovered destinations and weird wonders still remaining in our increasingly globalized world.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, Cooking, Memoir

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Andrew Randy Sean Zimmern (born July 4, 1961 in New York City) is a James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, food writer, and teacher. As the co-creator, host, and consulting producer of Travel Channel's series Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World, he travels the world exploring food in its own native region, wherever it is found. He also hosts the show "Dining with Death" which explains some of the foods that could cause death.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to embrace a different culture or way of thinking this book is the perfect gateway to do so. Hearing the stories of people so different from myself reminded me of how unimportant I am compared to the grand scheme of things. Not to say I’m not important and neither are you but when you read about a culture who you previously thought was “worse” off or didn’t understand you start to realize how much of a self absorbed little shit you are. The bush people of Africa was my favorite part of the entire book. Reading their chapter made me tear up because of how beautiful their culture and ways are. They are so connected to the earth and each other it makes me jealous for I wish that we all could be like them. Read this book to the end, even if you get squeamish (like I do) with animal sacrifice. I have been reminded to look beyond my backyard into the world and that even in darkness there is light, something I am fearing I am forgetting.

[Amos Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the scenes insights into the thoughts and experiences shown in the TV show and the different encounters organised thematically rather than geographically

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I listened to this as an audiobook through Libby. Andrew Zimmern narrated this audiobook (heck yeah for authors narrating their own audiobooks!!) and he did a wonderful job - I like his writing style and I like how he delivers information ala his TV shows. I felt like I was listening to one of his tv programs, so it was comforting while I walked. While I don’t trust a lot of what he deems as good food (he doesn’t like garlic and he loves seafood - two things that we are complete opposites about), I still really enjoyed this book because it really is less about the food and more about the experiences he’s had. I spaced out for a lot of his seafood tirades though as I do with his tv programs. Both Zimmern and Bourdain are two of my favorite travel food writers; I love how they immerse themselves in cultures and want “the whole experience” of a particular place. This book made me want to do so much more traveling! It was a nice way to live vicariously through someone during this whole COVID thing.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solidly enjoyable, I'm all about learning about food right now. Love the show and thought this would be interesting. Some parts were a little slow but a good message in the end.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one that hasn't seen the show, it was a pleasant journey to take with Andrew as he highlights several of his world experiences- up to 2009 when this book was published. I am especially delighted to read his poetic ode to Paris and his time there. It is certainly a place I would like to experience. To know that a wide-traveler as he is can say that the greats are indeed worth their accolades.

He created his work as a means to motivate others to experiment, and explore. He offers his guidelines to finding quality, and suggestions for what to seek, and why, such as be willing to go to extremes and travel to the far reaches to discover forgotten, or neglected cuisines, such as puffin which is like the dying breeds whose dishes are no longer appreciated because they may be too complex, or obscure for the modern palate, such as Spanish tabernas.
Then, in flowing prose, he describes the best meals he has had such as the day's eating (and shopping) in Paris, a Wazwan meal in Delhi, the possibly best Laksa found in Singapore, a noodle house in Guangzhou.

[Marissa Slack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm biased because I grew up watching Bizarre Foods with my dad, and this book reads like a nine hour episode of the show. Any Zimmern fan is almost guaranteed to like this book which is filled with his distinct humourous tone and his honesty. Still, I would not limit this book to only fans of the show. This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in travel, world cultures, or gastronomic creations. From recounting his memories of an extravagant food day in France to speaking on the pork highway in Puerto Rico, Zimmern draws on decades of experiences to educate and entertain. I especially enjoy how he discusses the environmental impact of the foods he eats. I am docking one star because his comments are occasionally a bit harsh, but hey, those are his opinions. Overall, this book is a delight to read. He really does the places he travels to justice with his rich descriptions, and his love of the foods and the traditions of the places he visits shine through.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off -- I love Andrew Zimmern. If I have a chance to watch a show he is on, I will. I love his open heart, his ability to learn and grow in a public sphere, his childlike sense of adventure, and his smile. Most of the things he is known for eating are things that I would never try. Even the pricey food in world renowned restaurants. But I will watch him do it and learn something. I consider him a friend of sorts, the same sort of everyman relationship that Tom Hanks evokes because he is who he appears to be even though we have never met. He is also in many ways the reverse side of the coin from the late great Anthony Bourdain, who was his friends. Both traveled the world and taught us to connect with and love our fellow people through the lens of food. Both battled mental health demons and addictions. Sadly, we lost Tony. I hope Andrew sticks around for a very long time.

[Sam Toombs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this book. In the author’s writing, he definitely gets across his respect for the people he has met along the way, and his passion for exposing less seasoned travels (such as myself) to different foods and cultural customs he has experienced during his time working for The Travel Channel was very descriptive-I could easily visualize the picture he was verbally painting with me mind. However, I would have liked more insight into the author’s journey and the life challenges he faced and overcame, as well as the story behind how he came to host his various TV shows. Fans of Andrew Zimmern will enjoy this book.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this book. I would say if you are a fan of bizarre foods or just Andrew Zimmern in general it's a must read. Not just for the behind the scenes stories (oh which there are plenty), but to understand such a simple message and the mind of author.

My only complaint, the book reads as a long conversation you are having with Andrew (to me anyway). Which, hey great, but sometimes I had to put it down and step away. Didn't feel like there was a natural pause in the conversation to take a breather, get a snack, etc.

[Christopher Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To pile onto what others have said, this is a fun, informative book. If you like his show then you'll like the book. I wanted to know more about the younger Zimmern running around NYC eating Chinese food and I wanted to know more about the awful food he endured out in the world. But he gave plenty of entertaining stories and overall philosophies on food and travel that I had no problem turning the page until this on was finished.

[Cheryl Schibley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read. For foodies and vicarious travelers, the author talks about the places he's been and the food he's eaten with such descriptions and you can practically taste the food and feel the atmosphere of the places he visits. He also talks about his life growing up in New York, going through addiction recovery and working as a chef, then having his own travel/food show on The Travel Channel.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up always trying new foods and was fascinated by Andrew's show Bizarre Foods this was literary and culinary delight. I absolutely loved everything about it, as evidenced by the short time it took me to devour it. Written much in the same way he narrates his show I couldn't help but hear his voice in my head with each passing page. Highly recommended to foodies, anthropologists, and travel lovers alike. 10/10!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly interesting. Andrew Zimmern is trying mostly to be Bill Bryson. Cheeky, sarcastic, slightly pessimistic, and obsessed with off the beaten path culture. It’s fun to travel with or his crew for a year.

[Megan Punches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, especially during a time when we haven’t traveled in a year. Zimmerman does a great job of taking the reader into so many different cultures and cuisines. I will say I noticed a few repeat paragraphs on certain stories, but overall I really enjoyed this book!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not to bad, and virtually bat free!!
I predict he's gone vegan now.

[Kristopher Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether it was the gastronomy adventures in Nicaragua, Paris or Delhi..this book was well written and fun to read till the very end.

[Christian Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very similar to the show, but you get to paint the picture in your head. :)

[Bill Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bizarre Truth was absolutely not what I was expecting. This was a fantastic book that took the reader around the world searching for amazing food. This was not a 5-star restaurant tour, it was a look into homemade old world cooking. I was fascinated on page one and by the end, I wanted to pack my bags and do the exact same trip. There were a lot of really great stories and insight into what makes a good meal a great one. The Bizarre Truth was a really fun read and I got a lot out of it.

[Zeldabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods and Bizarre Worlds on the Travel Channel, has eaten everything from snake penis in Japan to frog porridge in Singapore. His signature line, "If it looks good, eat it!" has has turned him into, as ABC News said, "a big, bald Elvis." Millions of people around the world turn into to see what wacky creation Andrew will put in his mouth next. Sometimes, it literally seems like he is taking his life in his own hands. I've watched this man eat poop, beach worms and rotten meat. Nothing seems to faze him.

While the shock value makes for excellent television, part of the show's charm is Andrew himself. He's funny and personable, enjoying the people he meets on his culinary adventures as much as the food itself. He has a real respect for different cultures, and seems to genuinely like people. He's also hilarious, and makes for a wonderful dining companion. His trademark humor is what makes the show so much fun to watch.

While his tv shows are funny, wacky and extremely bizarre, his writing was downright stale. Each chapter delves into behind-the-scenes highlights from different episodes of Bizarre Foods. He covers how he makes contacts around the world, some of the more dangerous situations he and his crew have found themselves in, and reveals interesting tidbits about some people I remember from the show. As fascinating as this sounds, his dry writing turned an otherwise enjoyable topic into dust. It's rather like Professor Binns teaching History of Magic. Bloodthirsty goblin rebellions sound interesting, but Binns kills it with his monotone teaching. Andrew's writing was rather like that. Serviceable, perhaps, but he needs to keep his day job.

[CarrieLynn Reinhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, like most others, found Andrew Zimmern via television, turned on to his show first because he was eating immensely gross things. Or at least things that seemed immensely gross at the time. The more I watched his show, the more I grew to love the bizarre foods he was exposed to, and the more I came to admire him for doing what he is doing. His trips have inspired my own explorations with new cuisines, and his stance toward other cultures and sustainable food practices have inspired my life to live along those parameters. So I tore my way through this book to get some behind-the-scenes and personal insights into his televised trips. It was quite fun to hear him swear, to hear about his fears and how he conquered them, and to hear his thoughts on issues of global importance that we as a society and culture are not doing enough to address. If you like him, if you like his show, then you will like the book, and the fun, easy, accessible writing style that he has. I only wish the show was still on Netflix Instant so I could rewatch all of his televised trips with a new eye.

[Lydia Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! I've watched Andrew Zimmern in Bizarre Foods before and most of the time was really grossed out by what he was eating. Thank goodness he wrote this book! I really came to appreciate how he approaches travel, and appreciate the reasoning behind why people eat all those truly unique and strange foods.

I think my favorite stories were in Iceland - and that's what started out the book. I never thought I'd be wanting to visit Iceland, but he definitely stirred the interest!

He really connected with people and I admire and respect his way of thinking when it comes to eating some of the strange offerings given to him. Some of those folks are so poor, they are offering up a larger portion of food than their own, and who are we to turn that down when it's offered so freely.

Kudos on an interesting book - great way to see travel and now I'm inspired to go traveling and exploring.. mouth first.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly engaging travel/food writing. Despite the book (and tv show's) title, Zimmern isn't so much interested in strange food as he is in very good food that reflects local cultural sensibilities. I enjoy his enthusiasm for the foods of other cultures and his commitment to travel to "the last stop on the subway" (something I literally do) as a way to learn a bit about how people live. He is never at a loss for words, and earns some enviable invitations that are marvelous to hear about. Of course, Z. traffics heavily in notions of the authentic that I find ridiculous, and with his TV camera crew gets invited to far more unusual activities than most of us ever will. But his stories about puffin-hunting in Iceland and grilled fruit bats in Samoa have stayed with me. Further, his restaurant recommendations for Paris and coastal Maine are worth the price of the book.

[Permies.world · Rating 2 out of 5]

Andrew Zimmern is a wonderful TV host and I do enjoy his Bizarre Foods show.

That being said, this book was barely strong enough to keep me through the whole thing.

The prologue was so randomly (thoughts just went everywhere) written that he nearly lost me there. I pressed on though, and parts of the book were interesting. Mostly, as others have mentioned, it is duplicate of the show Bizarre Foods. Some additional facts were nice but after the first few chapters, it read like a show video diary.

He makes a good point that he doesn't really bring out verbally in the show: "respect everyone everywhere". And that was the best thing I took away from the book.

Definitely not a must read.

[Yoonmee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Andrew Zimmern, including myself, will enjoy this literary version of his tv shows, but otherwise it's not a superb piece of travel/food writing. It's enjoyable, somewhat interesting, and, if you've seen a lot of his shows like I have, it's kind of fun to read about his adventures and think to yourself, "Hey, wait a minute! I've seen that show!"

Find it in your public library: Dewey number 394.12

[Casey Meinerding · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like I was dragging through this book. It was very mediocre and much of it repeated from his show. I felt that each chapter seemed to be written independently and then they were all thrown together in an afterthought-book. The last chapters, however, saved it. Read about his experience with the bushmen and the Trance Dance and then the chapter about Cuba--totally changed my opinion. Can two chapters save a book? Normally, I'd say "no", but here we are and I say "yes!".

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zimmern's role as globalist, field cutlural anthropologist add an enligtening dimension to his travels in Chile, Uganda, the Far East, Barcelona, and more. A few insances that I felt were unecessary animal cruelty (a bowl to hold the still beating frog heart, having a guinea pig beatend to death for a witchdoctor experience) leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but the hints of Zimmern's life outside and before globe-trotting snacking makes me want to know more about his life.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot in the beginning. The Samoa story was my favorite. I wish more of the stories in the book had more behind the scenes info as he Samoa story. I got a little tired of the book in the middle but still enjoyed it.
If I could ask Andrew a question I would ask why he has the need to swear. That drives me crazy, but I was still able to enjoy the book and appreciate Andrew's perspectives on people and the world.

[Bohemianbailie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have found the book to be a nice read before going to bed, not to engrossing that it keeps you up and not to boring that you fall asleep right away. Honestly in the "Last Coke Bottle in the Desert" chapters I found the stories to be a little depressing but honest accounts of the changing world. Would be a great book to read before a trip to get excited about traveling.

[Corene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to Andrew Zimmern read the audio edition of his book is much like watching his Travel channel program, and he has an inspiring enthusiasm for travel and food. Vegetarians and the faint of heart may wish to avoid this title for its graphic descriptions of hunting, eating and animal sacrifices.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Zimmern is a good storyteller. . .but that does not always translate to being a great book writer. This book holds great adventures and a clear message but the repetitive pattern makes the read less delicious.