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The Best Episodes of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Every episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown!

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Bourdain travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 6 Episode 2 - Marseille
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Marseille

    S6:E2

    Bourdain and his travel companion, chef Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin), visit France’s oldest city to experience its stew of cultures and cuisines, indulging in chef Gerald Passedat’s famous bouillabaisse, the classic pied et paquets, Algerian couscous and as much salumi and Corsican cheeses as they can handle. The pair also meet crime novelist Cedric Fabre, esteemed chef Georgiana Viou, and journalist Gilles Rof.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 6 Episode 3 - Okinawa
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #2 - Okinawa

    S6:E3

    The alluring island of Okinawa, which endures tragic memories from World War II battles, is explored by Bourdain from historical, political, cultural and culinary perspectives. The tour includes a bloodless bullfight over a bowl of Yakisoba, a retrospective meal of Tundabun with the city’s former governor, and a demonstration of open-hand karate experienced first-hand by Bourdain.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 6 Episode 5 - Ethiopia
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Ethiopia

    S6:E5

    Acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Aquavit) and his wife Maya take Bourdain on a personal tour of their native country to experience this nation beyond the headlines, first in Addis Adaba where they sample injera bread and beyaynetu platters, followed by drinking Turbo and eating Tibs with local skateboarding pioneers, listening to the traditional music of Azmari singers and legendary Ethiopian-jazz musician, Mahmoud Ahmed, a sampling Ethiopian coffee and a village feast with Maya’s family in the Gurage region.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 6 Episode 6 - Borneo
    10.0/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Borneo

    S6:E6

    After a 10 year absence, Bourdain abides by his promise to return, dining on chicken rendang for a reunion meal at Aunty Aini’s, taking a boat ride to Kuching, traveling back to the longhouse at Entalau to attend the Gawai Rice festival, and acquiring a new hand-tapped tattoo, prefaced by a stop in “street food paradise” Kuala Lumpur for pork noodles and black pepper crab.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 6 Episode 8 - Charleston, S.C.
    10.0/10(2 votes)

    #5 - Charleston, S.C.

    S6:E8

    For the season finale, Bourdain travels with “one of America’s most important chefs,” Sean Brock, to sample Charleston’s varied food offerings including traditional Gullah cuisine, and oyster pie and shrimp and grits at Brock’s restaurant Husk with actor and a Charleston resident, Bill Murray.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 2 Episode 8 - Detroit
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Detroit

    S2:E8

    Few cities have experienced such a dramatic economic rise and fall of Detroit. In this episode of Parts Unknown, Bourdain explores the past, present and future of the Motor City. He steps into the lives of Detroit natives and sees the glory days of the past at the famed Packard Plant, the current state of the city’s urban decay, and the promise of the future in the citizens who are rebuilding their communities.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

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  7. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 3 Episode 7 - Thailand
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #7 - Thailand

    S3:E7

    Bourdain and his crew head to the Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand along with celebrated chef and Thai food specialist Andy Ricker (Pok Pok restaurants) to explore the country’s distinctive eating and drinking scene that varies by region and season.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 5 Episode 3 - Scotland
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #8 - Scotland

    S5:E3

    Bourdain visits one of his favorite cities in Europe, Glasgow. He makes his first stop at the Old College Bar for a pint, learns knife defense techniques from instructor Mark Davies, and tests his physical endurance while stalking red stag with writer A.A. Gill in the Scottish Highlands. Along the way Bourdain indulges in some surprising Scottish fare including deep-fried haggis, roasted grouse with bread sauce, and fresh venison.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 5 Episode 5 - New Jersey
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #9 - New Jersey

    S5:E5

    Bourdain travels to his childhood home state with his brother Chris and rekindles memories at classic roadside joint Hiram’s, known for its fried hotdogs, and Barnegat Light in Ocean County. He heads further down the shore to Atlantic City and stops by the Knife and Fork, Docks Oyster House with local reporter Brian Donohue, the Baltimore Grill to see husband and wife comedians Rich Vos and Bonnie McFarlane, and tours Asbury Park with none other than famed musician Southside Johnny.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 5 Episode 7 - Hawaii
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Hawaii

    S5:E7

    Bourdain explores the other Hawaii, the one that those 8 million tourists don’t see when they descend on the islands every year. Tony meets with travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux, Chef Andrew Le of Pig and the Lady in Honolulu, talent manager Shep Gordon and communes with residents of Molokai for a meal at an ancient oceanside fish pond.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 9 Episode 1 - Los Angeles
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Los Angeles

    S9:E1

    An alternative tour of Los Angeles by Bourdain focuses on the impact and contributions of its less photographed and often overlooked Latino communities. From downtown, for Oaxaqueno specialties at Gish Bac and redefined Mexican food from chef Ray Garcia at Broken Spanish, to Hollywood, for a health-conscious but savory dinner with actor Danny Trejo (Machete) at Trejo’s Cantina, the host experiences this vibrant culture against a backdrop of LA glamour.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 9 Episode 4 - Queens
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #12 - Queens

    S9:E4

    Bourdain discovers a hub of international cuisines and cultures in the New York City Borough of Queens. Traveling via the No. 7 train, the host dines on morcilla (blood sausage) with Sean Basinski of the Street Vendor Project in Corona, samples Chinese food in Flushing with Swet Shop Boys member Himanshu Suri, imbibes at historic Neirs Tavern (seen in GoodFellas) in Woodhaven, eats a Tibetan dinner at Llasa Fast Food in Jackson Heights, and takes a detour to Aqueduct racetrack in South Ozone Park with his Appetites cookbook co-author Laurie Woolever.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 9 Episode 5 - Antarctica
    9.3/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Antarctica

    S9:E5

    Bourdain travels to the bottom of the world to experience the serene beauty and mystery of the driest, coldest, windiest place on earth. Taken under the wings of such hearty residents as scientists, contractors and the U.S. military, Bourdain’s adventures include a helicopter view of the largest active volcano in the southern hemisphere, a snowmobile drive over 8 ft. thick sea ice, a visit with a colony of Adele penguins, and a trip the South Pole.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 11 Episode 1 - West Virginia
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #14 - West Virginia

    S11:E1

    Bourdain digs deep into the proud, often misunderstood culture of West Virginia, as he traverses a 5,000 foot mine, observes the demolition derby–like sport of rock-bouncing and dines on signature Appalachian dishes. Bourdain’s own preconceptions are dashed as he finds the West Virginian attitude to be a remarkable dichotomy, both resolute and open-minded. Over an assortment of local dishes – snapping turtle patties, squirrel gravy, pawpaw ice cream, spaghetti pie, and bear meat – residents candidly discuss their staunch views on the second amendment, Donald Trump, life beyond the coal industry, and the reclamation of West Virginian cuisine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 11 Episode 3 - Newfoundland
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #15 - Newfoundland

    S11:E3

    An exploration of this rocky, east coast Canadian island by Bourdain reveals a magical place abundant in fish and wild game and steeped in distinctive traditions. Guided by prominent chefs Frederic Moran, Jeremy Charles and David McMillan, the host takes part in cod fishing, moose hunting, and axe throwing and dines on charred whelk with brasciola, caribou tartare, and Newfoundland classic Jiggs Dinner (boiled meat & vegetables). A side trip to the nearby French archipelago of St. Pierre is the setting for a home cooked meal of sea urchin pâté, stuffed squid over rice and braised halibut.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 11 Episode 8 - Bhutan
    9.3/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Bhutan

    S11:E8

    Bourdain and film director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan) tour the remote South Asian Kingdom of Bhutan and travel on the winding East/West highway known for its spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountains. The seasoned explorers share a meal with yak herders, visit the capitol city of Thimphu for traditional Bhutanese cuisine, drive to Punakha to explore the village of legendary divine monk Drupka Kinley, and visit Bumthang for a bamboo archery competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 1 Episode 5 - Morocco (Tangier)
    9.0/10(6 votes)

    #17 - Morocco (Tangier)

    S1:E5

    Tony explores the "Interzone", where artists like Burroughs, Bowles, and the Rolling Stones sought escape from Western moral prohibitions and the possibilities of great empty spaces.

    Directors:Jared Andrukanis, Nick Brigden
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 2 Episode 7 - Tokyo
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Tokyo

    S2:E7

    Japan is a paradox. The low birthrate, the dedication, the conformity, and the life of a salary man are well known. There is also a competitive and rigid culture that gives way to some unique subcultures. Bourdain has traveled to Tokyo countless times, but on this trip he is in search of the city’s dark, extreme, and bizarrely fetishistic underside.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 3 Episode 1 - Punjab, India
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #19 - Punjab, India

    S3:E1

    In the Season 3 premiere of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," Tony explores Punjab -- one of the most beautiful and relatively unknown areas of India. Punjab is the Sikh Holy Land, and is also India's agricultural breadbasket.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 3 Episode 3 - Lyon, France
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #20 - Lyon, France

    S3:E3

    World-renowned French chef Daniel Boulud takes Tony back home to the food-obsessed city and farm where he was raised on a journey into the roots of gastronomy. In this food-centric episode, Bourdain accompanies world-renowned chef/restaurateur Daniel Boulud as they travel back to Boulud's hometown of Lyon, France for a "once-in-a-lifetime" pilgrimage to the so-called Mecca of French cuisine's rich food culture and legendary chefs, with a focus on Nouvelle Cuisine innovator Paul Bocuse.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 3 Episode 6 - Mississippi Delta
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #21 - Mississippi Delta

    S3:E6

    Bourdain goes off the beaten path and explores some of the food and history of Mississippi including downtown Jackson’s Big Apple Inn, known for its “Pig Ear Sandwich” and as a Civil Rights Era gathering place, and then travels into the Mississippi Delta to Po’ Monkey’s Social Club, a juke joint located in an old sharecropper structure.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 4 Episode 1 - Shanghai
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #22 - Shanghai

    S4:E1

    In the season premiere of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, the host explores Shanghai by savoring classic, home-style cuisine at restaurants that include Chun and Fuchun Xiaolong, and converses with locals who give their take on their country’s booming economy and expanding global influence.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 4 Episode 2 - The Bronx
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #23 - The Bronx

    S4:E2

    Bourdain explores the widely diverse cuisines and cultures found in the NYC borough just north of Manhattan. Bronx mainstays Afrika Bambaataa, Melle Mel, and Baron Ambrosia help guide the host through the music, food, art, and other offerings of this often misunderstood part of the city.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 4 Episode 3 - Paraguay
    9.0/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Paraguay

    S4:E3

    A South American country of 6 million, much of the oppressively hot landlocked nation of Paraguay is jungle terrain or desert known as "the Chaco." An investigation into the puzzling history of the host’s great, great, great, grandfather, Paraguayan émigré Jean Bourdain, is a springboard to his first tour of this South American country, primarily comprised of jungle and desert land, which features a rich culture and savory local dishes that include Bife Koygua, Bori Bori, and Sopa Paraguaya.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown Season 4 Episode 4 - Vietnam
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Vietnam

    S4:E4

    Parts Unknown travels to the host’s “first love,” with a look at Hue, a city in central Vietnam, including excursions to the Dong Ba market, Vinh Moc tunnels, the Duyen Anh restaurant, and the Citadel. Sampled dishes include Com Hen, Bun Bo Hue and a special bird’s nest soup.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Marseille" is the best rated episode of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown". It scored 10/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/4/2015. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Okinawa".