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The Best Episodes of A Cook's Tour

Every episode of A Cook's Tour ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of A Cook's Tour!

Binge this in 17h 30m•Peaking at 8.5/10

Bad-boy chef and author Anthony Bourdain goes off the beaten track in search of foods that are rare, highly esteemed and sometimes downright dangerous. The show, which aired for two seasons on the Food Network,

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Seasons2

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 9 - Childhood Flavors
    8.5/10(50 votes)

    #1 - Childhood Flavors

    S1:E9

    Tony and his brother revisit favorite childhood haunts in Arcachon, France. A memory of an oyster from this place changed the course of Tony's life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 11 - Let's Get Lost
    8.4/10(34 votes)

    #2 - Let's Get Lost

    S2:E11

    Tony tries to lose himself in Thailand by trying a variety of new activities. He rides an elephant, eats native cooking with a Thai family, attempts kick-boxing, and experiences an authentic massage.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 12 - My Friend Linh
    8.4/10(33 votes)

    #3 - My Friend Linh

    S2:E12

    Vietnam captures Tony's heart. He returns to Hanoi and meets an old friend. The two spend the Vietnamese New Year together at Linh's home for an experience neither will ever forget.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 16 - Puebla Where Good Cooks Come From
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    #4 - Puebla Where Good Cooks Come From

    S1:E16

    Tony's favorite kitchen mates all seem to come from Mexico, and he wants to know why. Eddy takes him on a tour of his home and town for some great meals of ant eggs, worms, and more.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 22 - A Pleasing Palate
    8.2/10(39 votes)

    #5 - A Pleasing Palate

    S1:E22

    While the United Kingdom doesn't have the greatest culinary reputation, Tony is determined to find the best in Britain. Some of his choices are exotic, including: goat liver salad, roasted pig's head, ox heart-grilled and breaded pig's tail. He also enjoys a tour through the countryside and a community from India.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 10 - Singapore: NY in 20 Years
    8.2/10(31 votes)

    #6 - Singapore: NY in 20 Years

    S2:E10

    Tony is almost overwhelmed by the amount of food in Singapore. From chicken congee to root beer floats, Tony explores the city. From "wet markets" to the red light district, he is amazed by all the city has to offer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of A Cook's Tour

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  7. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 8 - San Sebastian: A Food Lover's Town
    8.1/10(50 votes)

    #7 - San Sebastian: A Food Lover's Town

    S1:E8

    The Basque food culture in Spain has a rich history and tradition. Tony and Luis Irizar visit gastronomic societies and tapas bars to try and experience all of the tastes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 18 - French Laundry Experience
    8.1/10(52 votes)

    #8 - French Laundry Experience

    S1:E18

    Tony travels to Napa to eat at the restaurant of the chef he believes is the best at French cuisine–Thomas Keller. Keller creates a specialized menu just for Tony, including a course that is pure Tony–tobacco leaf and coffee custard.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 20 - My Life As A Cook-NYC
    8.1/10(40 votes)

    #9 - My Life As A Cook-NYC

    S1:E20

    This episode is all about Tony. Tours through Tony's restaurant, Les Halles; his first restaurant job in Provincetown, and the Culinary Institute of America; plus an interview with his mentor provide a fascinating look at the host, chef and writer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 5 - Elements of a Great Bar
    8.1/10(35 votes)

    #10 - Elements of a Great Bar

    S2:E5

    Everyone knows Tony likes to drink, especially after a hard night at Les Halles. In this episode, Tony tries to discover what exactly make the perfect watering hole in New York. Some of his requirements include a loaded juke box, an absence of karaoke, and a bartender who leans towards crazy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 2 - Dining with Geishas
    8.0/10(61 votes)

    #11 - Dining with Geishas

    S1:E2

    In Japan, Tony experiences the contrast between a serene, rural inn for a tea ceremony and the bustling activity of a famous restaurant in Tokyo. Relaxing tea versus dangerous blowfish mark his trip.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 10 - Stuffed Like a Pig
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    #12 - Stuffed Like a Pig

    S1:E10

    Tony joins Jose at the family farm to enjoy a fattened pig at the village feast. Then, he travels to a destination from his childhood where he debates eating a calf's head.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 2 - No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street
    8.0/10(37 votes)

    #13 - No Beads, No Babes, No Bourbon Street

    S2:E2

    There has to be a New Orleans that's just for locals. That's what Tony wants to find. But, will he discover more than he intended? Tony makes his first ever trip to pre-katrina New Orleans where he vows to stay away from the French Quarter, "No Beads, No Boobs, No Bourbon Street".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 1 - A Taste of Tokyo
    7.9/10(69 votes)

    #14 - A Taste of Tokyo

    S1:E1

    The Japanese have a healthy respect for food, which Tony can definitely appreciate. A trip through a market with a sushi chef prepares Tony for his dinner. He also eats a meal with sumo wrestlers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 7 - Cod Crazy
    7.9/10(53 votes)

    #15 - Cod Crazy

    S1:E7

    Wine and fish figure prominently in this episode as Tony explores Portugal.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 19 - Hometown Favorites
    7.9/10(44 votes)

    #16 - Hometown Favorites

    S1:E19

    Tony decides to share all of his hometown haunts with the viewers. Lox and bagels, wine and dinner, a variety of cheese, and great hot dogs make his list of top stops.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 21 - Highland Grub
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #17 - Highland Grub

    S1:E21

    Tony sets out to prove that Scotland does have tasty options. He begins with a deep fried breakfast of pizza, eggs, and Mars bars. Next, he enjoys a hearty lunch of haggis. Finally, after fishing and hunting across the countryside, he eats a calm dinner at a large estate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 13 - One Night in Bangkok
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #18 - One Night in Bangkok

    S2:E13

    Tony makes a serious of quick and crazy stops. A layover in Bangkok has him meeting a crazy Westerner who introduces him to some interesting foods. Next, he lands in Singapore, where he meets his book editor. They enjoy fish head curry, a notorious dish in Little India. On the last show of the series, Tony visits Bangkok and Chef and author of "Strange Foods", Jerry Hopkins. Jerry has written the book on "edible exotica" and has inspired some of Tony's most outrageous meals.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 4 - Eating on the Mekong
    7.8/10(56 votes)

    #19 - Eating on the Mekong

    S1:E4

    A trip down this Vietnamese river makes tony aware of Vietnam's history as well as its portrayal in some of his favorite movies. Phillip Lajeunie joins him as he eats his way through bread, coffee, duck and bird's nest soup.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 11 - A Desert Feast
    7.8/10(44 votes)

    #20 - A Desert Feast

    S1:E11

    Tony has one objective in Morocco, eat a roast sheep. He travels by camel with Berbers before he finally reaches the sheep roast in the mud of the Sahara.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 12 - Traditional Tastes
    7.8/10(40 votes)

    #21 - Traditional Tastes

    S1:E12

    In Morocco, Tony learns about the rich culinary tradition and home cooking from a British ex-pat.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 15 - Tamales and Iguana Oaxacan Style
    7.8/10(37 votes)

    #22 - Tamales and Iguana Oaxacan Style

    S1:E15

    Tony has always been interested in the Oaxacan tradition in food. A friend leads Tony through a local market, where they taste a variety of interesting foods. And, of course, Tony can't pass on tequila.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. A Cook's Tour Season 2 Episode 4 - How to Be a Carioca
    7.8/10(30 votes)

    #23 - How to Be a Carioca

    S2:E4

    Can a Carioca teach Tony the lifestyle? Will Tony be able to relax into the freewheeling life. He can handle the tan, the Brazilian barbecue and the Caipirinhas, but can he handle the speedo?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 6 - Eating on the Edge of Nowhere
    7.7/10(48 votes)

    #24 - Eating on the Edge of Nowhere

    S1:E6

    Tony floats on the heart of darkness river. Three soldiers commandeer his boat, but a tasty dinner makes it all fine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. A Cook's Tour Season 1 Episode 17 - Los Angeles, My Own Heart of Darkness
    7.7/10(41 votes)

    #25 - Los Angeles, My Own Heart of Darkness

    S1:E17

    Tony is apprehensive about the glamorous world of LA, so he begins with hot dogs. After a long day and a guest stint at Campanile, he has gained a new appreciation for the glitz of the City of Angels.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Childhood Flavors" is the best rated episode of "A Cook's Tour". It scored 8.5/10 based on 50 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/29/2002. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Let's Get Lost".