Anthony Bourdain was far more than a chef, author, host, or globetrotter - he redefined what we've come to expect of travel documentaries and cooking shows, revealing the universal stories and unique personalities at the heart of both genres, all while offering us a window into worlds we might never have seen without him. As fans across the world mourn his death, IGN's staff takes a look back at 10 iconic episodes from across Bourdain's filmography, and why they'll stick with us for years to come.
A Cook’s Tour - Season 1, Episode 20: “My Life as a Cook”
Bourdain may have built a career in middle age as one of the most famous chefs and travelers in the world, but early on he was just a humble guy working his way up through the ranks of the restaurant scene. And while he literally traveled all over the world in search of new foods and adventures, Bourdain always maintained a special attachment to the city of Provincetown, Mass., where his career got its start. That’s what makes this episode such an interesting viewing experience. It showcases a young, skinnier, more wide-eyed Bourdain towards the beginning of his celebrity career as he revisits the first restaurant he ever worked at in 1974. Like so much of his best TV work, there’s a strong personal touch to this episode. - Jesse Schedeen
No Reservations - Season 1 Episode 1: "France: Why the French Don't Suck"
I discovered Anthony Bourdain's show (and eventually his books) at a time when I had recently moved into a new country where there so many unknowns. His first episode happened to cover France, my homeland, and the country I had just left. The way he covered food, culture and travel reminded me that I wasn't the only one that felt a little lost in new places, and that it was always possible to appreciate, understand, and ultimately enjoy unfamiliar cultures (and the world!). Whenever I feel homesick, his shows are there for comfort. - Loris RaveraNo Reservations - Season 2, Special: "Anthony Bourdain in Beirut"
Bourdain's programming was at its best when his love for sharing countries' cultures melded perfectly with his love for showing us a diverse array of food we probably never would have considered eating otherwise. That was never showcased better than in his 2006 Beirut episode of No Reservations. As he and his crew famously detail in the episode, they were in the Lebanese capital for 24 hours before they got caught in the middle of a Lebanese-Israeli conflict early on in the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War. Their story of their nine days in Lebanon before they were evacuated was a moving and empathetic look at the human beings at the center of the crisis. It understandably was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Programming, and is a great example of Bourdain at his best. - Terri SchwartzNo Reservations - Season 4, Episode 11: “Laos”
As a person and a host, Bourdain was about much more than food. He was about reaching out to people, which he did with both the people on his shows and his audience. As part of connecting with them (and thus allowing us to connect with him), he would occasionally open up about himself, like he did in Laos when he was invited to eat with a family whose patriarch was disfigured by a bomb left by the Americans after the war, making for a powerful and cathartic episode. “This is something I’ve seen a fair amount of over time. Acts of kindness and generosity from strangers who have no reason at all to be nice to me," he remarked. "Frankly, it kicks the hell out of me.” - Mike KubotaThe Layover - Season 1, Episode 8: "San Francisco"
Bourdain takes a 30-hour-long trip to San Francisco in the first season of The Layover. After getting absolutely hammered in Chinatown, he stumbles into a nondescript pizza and burger joint called Sam’s where he orders a double cheeseburger and drunkenly declares his love for the "mountain of meat." Watching him devour that burger, genuinely believing it’s one of the best meals he’s ever eaten, is one of the most relatable moments of the show. Not long after his visit, Sam’s hung a sign in their window with Bourdain’s review: “That’s a good burger. Top three in the world.” - Emily BockianParts Unknown - Season 1, Episode 2: "Koreatown, Los Angeles"
As much as I'd love to say my favorite Bourdain spotlight was my hometown of Cleveland, I probably enjoyed his Koreatown spotlight episode the most. Pretty early upon moving to LA, Koreatown became one of my favorite areas. So much culture, food, and nightlife I'd never experienced before and I wanted to immerse myself as a respectful guest in this new land, which is something Anthony Bourdain always demonstrated in his own travels. Bourdain also spotlighted how gritty, historic, and fun Los Angeles is by showcasing an area of the city most reality television would gloss over. Plus, David Choe making Bourdain eat Sizzler buffet was pretty funny and he went along with it, respecting the culture of the experience. - Tony Hartman
It’s easy for me to get excited seeing something from my Filipino-American culture pop up on American TV. When Bourdain made his first stop at a Jollibee in L.A.’s Koreatown, I couldn’t help but laugh at his confusion when holding a Little Big Bite (a Spam-and-mayo sandwich), or smile at his joy when tasting halo-halo (a dessert that’s a mishmash of different sweet things). - Jobert Atienza
Parts Unknown - Season 2, Episode 2: "Jerusalem"
Parts Unknown began its second season on a very ambitious note, with Bourdain traveling to one of the more chaotic regions in the world to explore daily life in both Israel and Palestine. As usual, that involved meeting with an eclectic assortment of residents (including a member of a Palestinian all-women racing team) and sampling the local fare. As Bourdain discovered in this episode, these two cultures share a great deal in common, not least of which being their food. But rather that offering a sappy, feel-good take on a place constantly ravaged by war and strife, the pragmatic Bourdain found himself questioning whether even these shared traits were cause for optimism. As he said, “That would be very mushy thinking. Those things, in the end, probably don’t count for much at all.” As usual, Bourdain had his own, unique perspective on the world around him. - Jesse Schedeen
Parts Unknown - Season 7, Episode 1: "Manila, Philippines"
Bourdain spends Christmas in the Philippine capital of Manila. What I love about this episode is not the food he eats, but the commentary he makes on the family dynamic among Filipinos. I found it truly touching when he spoke with families that have loved ones working overseas who struggle in foreign lands, sending money and gifts back home when they can. - Jobert Atienza
Parts Unknown - Season 7, Episode 6: "Tblisi, Georgia"
I love watching this episode repeatedly because it shows Bourdain really enjoying the location he’s visiting. It’s basically a vacation for him: eating local foods, losing money at casinos, getting plastered and trying to carry on with the trip while nursing a massive hangover. - Jobert Atienza
Parts Unknown - Season 8, Episode 1: "Hanoi"
While filming the eighth season of Parts Unknown, Bourdain, as one might expect, chose an inconspicuous location, a local Hanoi eatery called Bun Cha Huang Lien. In that roadside eatery he hosted an unexpected guest: none other than the then-president of the United States, Barack Obama. The two men, who came from completely different backgrounds and completely different viewpoints, sat across from each other on cheap plastic stools and shared a traditional Vietnamese dish and a beer. And although these men, like the people that surrounded them in the eatery, shared completely different experiences, they all shared in a common humanity, they shared in the laughter, the joy, and the hunger that connects us all. That moment struck me as surreal because it put two uncommon people in a very common setting and in doing so reminded me that we are all not so different from each other. - Marat GazievParts Unknown is currently streaming on Netflix. Episodes of No Reservations and The Layover are available to buy on Amazon.
What are your favorite episodes of Bourdain's shows? Share your memories in the comments.
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