In the latest episode of CNN show “Parts Unknown,” adventuring TV chef Anthony Bourdain visits Queens — calling it “a wonderland’ for food. The episode, the fourth episode of the ninth season of the show, takes a look at the diversity of food in the borough, as well as the immigrants who make up the backbone of the culinary scene. The episode airs on Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. EST. Here’s a guide to all the places he visits.
Read MoreEverything Anthony Bourdain Ate in Queens on ‘Parts Unknown,’ Season 9 Episode 4
Momos, hand-torn noodles, blood sausage, and more
Ecuadorian food cart at Warren Street and Roosevelt Avenue
Bourdain starts the episode eating morcilla (blood sausage) with potato cakes from an Ecuadorian food cart near a 7 train stop in Corona. The Street Vendor Project notes that the cart featured here is at the corner of Warren Street and Roosevelt Avenue, closest to a line of trucks that parks in the area.
Yu Garden Dumpling House
Next, he hits up Flushing for cold beef tripe, lion’s meatballs made with pork and ginger, and ground pork soup dumplings. “Yu Garden dumplings is everything you need in life,” he says in the show.
Geo Si Gi Restaurant
Here, Bourdain dines with Mu Ramen chef Josh Smookler and Casa Enrique chef Cosme Aguilar. They start with gamja tang, a dish with pork neck bone broth, rice cake, pork belly, kimchi, and spicy radish, and move on to galbi, a marinated short rib. Bourdain calls the latter “meat candy.”
Neir’s Tavern
This is one of the oldest bars in New York City, now owned by Loy Gordon, a Queens resident with Jamaican heritage. Bourdain did not eat here, but they did drink and talk about how “Goodfellas” was shot at the bar.
Evelia Coyotzi Tamales
Part of the episode profiles Evelia Coyotzi, a woman who sells tamales in Queens for a living. She says she arrived in the U.S. in 2000 and sells about 2,000 tamales every weekend. Bourdain is not shown eating one of the tamales.
Lhasa Fast Food
Queen’s worst kept secret is this momo restaurant at the back of a cell phone store in Jackson Heights. Bourdain tries thenthuk (hand-torn noodle soup), shapta (chili-fried beef), and sha momo (steamed dumplings filled with beef).
Brisas Del Mar
Food is not the focus of this segment filmed at a Spanish restaurant in the Rockaways. Bourdain spends most of the time talking to activist Josmar Trujillo about the history of the island and the impact of Sandy. As they chat, they’re eating avocado, beans, and rice.
Aqueduct Racetrack
Bourdain makes a stop to bet on some horse races at the historic South Ozone Park racetrack. Mostly, he and writer Laurie Woolever watch the races, but he also munches on a beef patty. “I love this place,” Bourdain says. “The ponies, the beers, the looming sense of despair and melancholy. Did I mention they have Jamaican beef patties?”
Africana Restaurant
Bourdain enjoys the Nigerian food at this restaurant in Jamaica, nothing that the food is “really good” and not too spicy.