Ep 2. Vietnam and Thailand

On season 1 episode 2 of Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey, Rick travels to Vietnam and Thailand to explore the unique cuisines and cultures of these two countries. In Vietnam, he begins in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh where he discovers the colorful street food and traditional dishes like Banh Xeo and Pho. He also visits the Mekong Delta, where he meets local fishermen and samples their freshly caught seafood.

Moving on to Hanoi, Rick wanders through the vibrant markets and tries different variations of Pho, the famous Vietnamese noodle soup dish. He also learns about the fascinating history of Vietnamese cuisine and its influences from China and France.

Next, Rick heads to Thailand, starting in Bangkok where he samples the fiery street food and meets a local chef who shows him how to cook a perfect Pad Thai. He also visits a floating market and tries some unique snacks like crispy insects and grilled frogs.

Traveling north to Chiang Mai, Rick learns about the ancient Lanna cuisine and the importance of fresh herbs and spices in Thai cooking. He visits a local farm to see how these ingredients are grown and harvested, and discovers the flavorful dishes like Khao Soi and Gaeng Hang Lay.

Throughout the episode, Rick is constantly amazed by the diverse flavors and ingredients of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. From the sweet and sour flavors of Vietnamese dishes to the spicy and aromatic flavors of Thai dishes, he discovers the unique culinary traditions and cultural influences of these two countries.