Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown is an American travel and food show that aired for the first time back in 2013 and ended after Bourdain's tragic ing in 2018. As the host of the show, Bourdain traveled around the world where he discovered places that are not the usual tourist destinations. He delved into their culture as well as their cuisine.
The show has won twelve Primetime Emmy Awards and it is one of those shows where the content is everything but staged. Bourdain preferred to show the real and raw situations and circumstances that people experience in the places he went to. The best among these episodes highlight Bourdain's talent for telling a moving story and showing audiences people's experiences — good or bad — in every country he visited.
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Hannah Saab: With more viewers discovering or rewatching Bourdain's award-winning series, opinions and ratings on IMDb have drastically changed. Seven episodes have bumped down previous entries in IMDb's list, which tell different stories and highlight narratives from parts of the world like Portugal and Tokyo. As more people seek out Bourdain's best works, Parts Unknown continues to be among the most popular travel and food shows that offer audiences a truly unique viewing experience.
Charleston, S.C. (8.2)
In Charleston, South Carolina, Bourdain complains that he can never portray the place properly in any of his best cooking shows. This episode is his attempt at finally getting it right, which he does in the best way possible. He starts where anyone should begin their foodie journey in Charleston: the Waffle House.
Throughout the rest of the episode, he highlights the warm sense of community and friendship in that location. The people are kind and welcome and the food is good, which is more than enough reason for him to enjoy his stay and eat a whole lot of shrimp and grits.
Nashville (8.2)
In a lot of ways, Bourdain's trip to Nashville is less about the food and more about the company. He hangs out with the rock 'n' roll artist Alison Mosshart, who throws an epic party with mouth-watering food.
Once Bourdain gets a chance to see the rest of the city, he's greeted by more delicious meals like perfectly cooked chicken from Bolton's Spicy Chicken & Fish and a delicious feast of barbecued ribeye courtesy of his hosts. Mosshart laughs and drinks with him through it all and it's heartwarming to see the two in action, buzzing with energy in the city known for its music icons.
Porto, Portugal (8.2)
Bourdain goes from watching bleeding pigs to sipping wine and eating cheese in Porto, Portugal. He mentions in this episode how it's a place close to his heart because it's where he shot one of his first-ever television shows. Back then, he had the unique experience of seeing a live animal killed before eating it for dinner. Here, he offers viewers the same thing.
A few tasty meals into the episode, some audiences may avert their eyes when a sequence quite literally shows the farm-to-table concept with a pig turned into several delicious dishes. Bourdain wanted fans to understand where their food comes from and used his platform to do so.
Lyon (8.3)
Bourdain is in the company of Daniel Boulud in Lyon, , where he is about to sit down with the world-renowned chef and restauranteur. Boulud naturally takes Bourdain to his hometown where they raid the restaurants and present the Nouvelle Cuisine (lighter, delicate dishes that hold an exquisite presentation) to the audience.
The episode masterfully details the fascinating history of the French culinary arts. Bourdain's happiness at being able to taste the most beautiful dishes in the legendary Paul Bocuse's restaurants is palpable throughout the episode.
Copenhagen (8.5)
Chef René Redzepi and his award-winning and somewhat enigmatic restaurant, Noma, is the center of one of Bourdain's best episodes in Copenhagen. It is one of the best restaurants in the world and Bourdain shows audiences exactly why.
The two hang out in the relatively simple restaurant known for its luxurious dishes. Here, Redzepi reveals some of his best-kept secrets and philosophies about cooking. He tells Bourdain and the viewers about his famous fermentation processes and explains the importance of foraging for fresh ingredients. It's an episode that's packed with information, giving fans a glimpse into one of the culinary world's most prestigious restaurants.
London (8.5)
While Parts Unknown's best episodes are often focused on showing the more obscure aspects of a location, Bourdain takes the opposite approach in London and shows its well-known traditions, from the tall pints of Guinness in its oldest pubs to the generous servings of traditional English breakfasts in a British home.
If there's one thing that's unknown in this episode, it's the fate of the entire country. Bourdain's show is no stranger to U.S. politics, as well as political issues around the world. It's not surprising that because this episode was shot during the aftermath of Brexit, Bourdain predictably asks the hard questions about this political event in between spoonfuls of delicious food.
Hong Kong (8.5)
In Hong Kong, Bourdain is accompanied by Christopher Doyle, the legendary cinematographer behind some of Wong Kar-wai's best films. In this episode, Bourdain discovers some new dishes and revisits some old recipes that say a lot about the history of the country.
He's not shy about diving deep into the bigger issues that Hong Kong citizens face, with most of them revolving around the sensitive issue of politics. Each meal in restaurants like Happy Paradise is punctuated with moments of brutally honest commentary about the state of the nation and the needs of its people. It's a quintessentially Bourdain episode, which is why it's not surprising that it's considered one of the best.
Tokyo (8.6)
Watching Bourdain explore Tokyo is a whimsical experience, in large part due to the creative angles and glowing neon lights used to emphasize the city's electrifying beauty. The episode underscores how vibrant and exciting life in Tokyo can be beyond the tourist attractions.
Bourdain jumps straight into the music scene and the red light district, spending the majority of his time exploring the nooks and crannies of the weird and wonderful streets around him. It's as if he almost forgets that it's a show about food, that is until he visits chef Yaomichi Yasuda, who serves him an exquisite sushi dish that caps off the experience in the best way possible.
Newfoundland (8.6)
While traveling through the east coast in Newfoundland, Bourdain brings his "bros," Jeremy Charles, David McMillan, and Frédéric Morin. They're all culinary experts in their own right, as they are either chefs or owners of prestigious restaurants from around the world. As they explore the island they discover nature, wildlife, and the vast choice of fishes, as well as the traditions that come with them.
The episode showcases a great mix of fun times with friends and exquisite culinary experiences. Bourdain enjoys every single moment of it, from the decadent foie gras to the more down-to-earth fried cod. Every meal is better with great company, after all.
Quebec (8.7)
The Quebec episode, also sometimes simply known as "Canada," features the two people responsible for the popular restaurant, Joe Beef. Dave McMillan and Fred Morin Bourdain on his exciting journey through the country, traveling in style by rail.
From one decadent meal to another, the men clean their plates and laugh, having the time of their lives. Bourdain seems happiest in their destination in the middle of nowhere in a tiny shack, with its thin walls protecting them from the freezing cold outside. Audiences can't be blamed for thinking they're only having what they caught during ice-fishing for lunch — that is until they pull out the champagne and start shaving truffles. The luxurious meal is a stark contrast to the shanty; it's an obviously absurd situation that makes the entire thing even more fun to watch, cementing it as one of Bourdain's best episodes.