The Hairy Bikers' Asian Adventure
In their most adventurous, far-flung road trip yet, the Hairy Bikers are touring the birthplaces of our favourite Asian cuisines - the food we Brits know from our local takeaways and high street restaurants. As they travel, the Bikers are immersed in the lives of the colourful characters they meet in Asia's diverse cultures. With incredible access to hidden worlds - from a sumo wrestling stable in Japan to a hill tribe in remote Northern Thailand - the Bikers will uncover the food secrets of these countries and get under the skin of the local way of life. They'll live, cook, eat and party with the locals - from Tuk Tuk drivers in Bangkok to monks in Kyoto. Throughout the series, the Hairy Bikers will taste their way through the incredible flavours and ingredients each place has to offer - finding authentic versions of the dishes we know and love back home.
- 2014-2014
- 1 season
- Documentary
In their most adventurous, far-flung road trip yet, the Hairy Bikers are touring the birthplaces of our favourite Asian cuisines - the food we Brits know from our local takeaways and high street restaurants. As they travel, the Bikers are immersed in the lives of the colourful characters they meet in Asia's diverse cultures. With incredible access to hidden worlds - from a sumo wrestling stable in Japan to a hill tribe in remote Northern Thailand - the Bikers will uncover the food secrets of these countries and get under the skin of the local way of life. They'll live, cook, eat and party with the locals - from Tuk Tuk drivers in Bangkok to monks in Kyoto. Throughout the series, the Hairy Bikers will taste their way through the incredible flavours and ingredients each place has to offer - finding authentic versions of the dishes we know and love back home.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2014
Episode 1
Hong Kong
59 mins
In their most adventurous road trip yet, the Hairy Bikers tour the birthplaces of favourite Asian cuisines. In this episode they are in Hong Kong, where they discover the secrets of wok chi at one of the city's street food stalls, and cook with a grandma in her tiny kitchen. Breakfast reveals a surprising legacy of British rule, and the bikers are sent on their way with a traditional Chinese good luck ceremony.
Episode 2
Thailand: Bangkok and the Central Plains
58 mins
The Hairy Bikers arrive in Thailand, where people say it is impossible to eat badly. They are in Bangkok and the central plains, where much of the Thai cuisine we are familiar with comes from. Here they discover why Bangkok is the street food capital of the world and they help serve up some school dinners, Thai style. Heading out of Bangkok, they join some paddy field workers and find out how rice is grown.
Episode 3
Thailand: Beaches and Mountains
59 mins
The Hairy Bikers travel to the palm-lined beaches of the south and the jungle-clad mountains of the north to discover how Thailand's multi-cultural history and its place at the heart of the spice trade has created a rich and varied cuisine, with influences from all over the world. They meet a coconut-picking monkey, enjoy a delicious Ramadan dinner and head out to sea during the monsoon for what turns out to be a rather nerve-wracking fishing expedition. They swap two wheels for four legs when they take an elephant trek, they try the Thai version of Pork Scratchings and cook their own Jungle Curry for a remote hill tribe.
Episode 4
Japan - Tokyo
59 mins
Japanese is the Hairy Bikers' all time favourite food and now they're fulfilling a lifetime's ambition to visit this incredible country. Si finds himself a bit lost in translation at a Manga café when he has to wear kitty ears, they discover the ultimate sushi at Tokyo's famous fish market, join a Miso-making class, enjoy a night out with some of Tokyo's hard-working salarymen and have the rare privilege of spending time in a Sumo stable, where they take part in a wrestling bout.
Episode 5
Japan - South to Kyoto
59 mins
The bikers head off into the heart of traditional Japan to find out the historic roots of Japanese cuisine. Dave puts his Strictly fancy footwork into action kneading noodle dough the traditional way, they take an awe-inspiring bike ride to see Mount Fuji, spend a night in a temple with Buddhist monks, are entertained by a Geiko, complete with traditional drinking games, and separate fact from fiction when it comes to the most expensive beef in the world, Wagu.
Episode 6
South Korea
59 mins
Korean food is set to be the next big thing in the UK so the bikers want to find out what's coming our way. On a night out with some young Seoulites they discover a cuisine that doesn't pull any punches when it comes to flavour, including Korean BBQ and fried chicken. Si discovers he has a natural gift for the Koreans' national sport, archery; while Dave brushes up on his Gangnam style dancing. They meet a robotic kitchen assistant and on a trip to the Korean seaside, the bikers take part in a rather unique squid festival.
