Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi

Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi

Redefining American food.

Continuing First aired 19/Jun/2020 United States English 3 season(s) 24 episode(s)
Host Padma Lakshmi takes audiences on a journey across America, exploring the rich and diverse food culture of various immigrant groups, seeking out the people who have so heavily shaped what American food is today.

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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 2 · Season 2
10 episode(s) · Air date: 05/May/2023
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Season Overview

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S2E10
Ciao New York
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 26 min
Summary

Padma reminisces about her years in Italy, where she experienced the spirit of la bella vita, the beautiful life. Now, hungry for some life balance, she’s turning to her Italian American friends in NY to reveal their secrets, starting with pizza.

Summary

Padma reminisces about her years in Italy, where she experienced the spirit of la bella vita, the beautiful life. Now, hungry for some life balance, she’s turning to her Italian American friends in NY to reveal their secrets, starting with pizza.

S2E9
Halal from Dearborn
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma visits Dearborn, a.k.a the Arab American “bubble”, during Ramadan, the holiest period of the year for Dearborn’s Muslim community. Cruising in muscle cars and diving into local eateries, Padma discovers the abundance of sweets and savory meats.

Summary

Padma visits Dearborn, a.k.a the Arab American “bubble”, during Ramadan, the holiest period of the year for Dearborn’s Muslim community. Cruising in muscle cars and diving into local eateries, Padma discovers the abundance of sweets and savory meats.

S2E8
On the Tip of My Kreung
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 32 min
Summary

In the symbolic heart of America’s industrial past, Padma travels to Lowell, Massachusetts and sees how Cambodian immigrants (and their cooking) have become the backbone for the revival of this New England town.

Summary

In the symbolic heart of America’s industrial past, Padma travels to Lowell, Massachusetts and sees how Cambodian immigrants (and their cooking) have become the backbone for the revival of this New England town.

S2E7
Greeks on the Gulf
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma eats her way through the seaside city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, which may as well be a Greek Island. From sponge diving to Avgolemono, she takes a deep dive into the Greek time capsule that is Tarpon Springs.…

Summary

Padma eats her way through the seaside city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, which may as well be a Greek Island. From sponge diving to Avgolemono, she takes a deep dive into the Greek time capsule that is Tarpon Springs.…

S2E6
Ube in the Bay
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Sizzling silogs, sour sinigang…and sweet spaghetti? In South San Francisco, Padma enjoys Filipino food and discovers how the younger generation of Filipino Americans are the latest disruptors in the Bay Area.

Summary

Sizzling silogs, sour sinigang…and sweet spaghetti? In South San Francisco, Padma enjoys Filipino food and discovers how the younger generation of Filipino Americans are the latest disruptors in the Bay Area.

S2E5
Fufu for the Win
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 33 min
Summary

Padma’s spice meter is put to the test by comedian Yvonne Orji and others when she travels to Houston, home to the largest Nigerian population in the US, where she gets an insider experience of Nigerian food and pride.

Summary

Padma’s spice meter is put to the test by comedian Yvonne Orji and others when she travels to Houston, home to the largest Nigerian population in the US, where she gets an insider experience of Nigerian food and pride.

S2E4
The Borscht Identity
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 34 min
Summary

Padma heads to New York’s Brighton Beach and the East Village to learn why the debate over who really created borscht symbolizes a larger fight for Ukrainian identity.

Summary

Padma heads to New York’s Brighton Beach and the East Village to learn why the debate over who really created borscht symbolizes a larger fight for Ukrainian identity.

S2E3
Padma and the Beanstalk
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 32 min
Summary

Appalachia is reinventing itself through its most beloved resource - food. Padma eats her way through the Mountain South, unearthing the inventive recipes, humble ingredients, and complex history – and picks up some banjo playing along the way.

Summary

Appalachia is reinventing itself through its most beloved resource - food. Padma eats her way through the Mountain South, unearthing the inventive recipes, humble ingredients, and complex history – and picks up some banjo playing along the way.

S2E2
From Kabul with Love
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 32 min
Summary

On the heels of America’s longest war coming to an end, Padma joins the Afghan American community in DC as they welcome new arrivals over feasts that remind them of the Afghanistan they left behind, and what can be built anew.

Summary

On the heels of America’s longest war coming to an end, Padma joins the Afghan American community in DC as they welcome new arrivals over feasts that remind them of the Afghanistan they left behind, and what can be built anew.

S2E1
Ketchup or No Ketchup
Air date: 05/May/2023 · Runtime: 39 min
Summary

Padma gets to the heart (and stomach) of Puerto Rico’s fight for independence by examining a surprisingly controversial topic: does ketchup belong on the beloved Puerto Rican dish pasteles?

Summary

Padma gets to the heart (and stomach) of Puerto Rico’s fight for independence by examining a surprisingly controversial topic: does ketchup belong on the beloved Puerto Rican dish pasteles?

Season 1 · Season 1
10 episode(s) · Air date: 19/Jun/2020
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Season Overview

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S1E10
Zen and the Art of Poke
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma dives into Japanese culture, ubiquitous in Honolulu, to understand just how far their cultural footprint reaches. She slings fish and rolls sushi where a century and a half ago Japanese immigrants first docked on Hawaii’s shores.

Summary

Padma dives into Japanese culture, ubiquitous in Honolulu, to understand just how far their cultural footprint reaches. She slings fish and rolls sushi where a century and a half ago Japanese immigrants first docked on Hawaii’s shores.

S1E9
The Pad Thai Gamble
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Las Vegas is home to one of the largest groups of Thai immigrants in the country, many of whom were women who came here after marrying American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Padma hears their stories over delicious food - Pad Thai is just the start.

Summary

Las Vegas is home to one of the largest groups of Thai immigrants in the country, many of whom were women who came here after marrying American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Padma hears their stories over delicious food - Pad Thai is just the start.

S1E8
Dancing in Little Lima!
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Peruvian cuisine hasn’t quite had its moment on the American food scene, but Padma knows the power of a great bowl of ceviche. She visits Paterson, New Jersey, a Peruvian enclave, for a deeper look at this vibrant culture.

Summary

Peruvian cuisine hasn’t quite had its moment on the American food scene, but Padma knows the power of a great bowl of ceviche. She visits Paterson, New Jersey, a Peruvian enclave, for a deeper look at this vibrant culture.

S1E7
The Original Americans
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

What is the original American cuisine? Padma travels to Arizona to eat food that is indigenous to this land. She tries some surprising dishes and explores how Native Americans seek to reestablish a connection to the past in order to protect their future.

Summary

What is the original American cuisine? Padma travels to Arizona to eat food that is indigenous to this land. She tries some surprising dishes and explores how Native Americans seek to reestablish a connection to the past in order to protect their future.

S1E6
Where the Kabob is Hot
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma tastes her way through Los Angeles, sampling one of her favorite cuisines: Persian food. The community opens up about the misconceptions some Americans have about Iranians, one kabob at a time.

Summary

Padma tastes her way through Los Angeles, sampling one of her favorite cuisines: Persian food. The community opens up about the misconceptions some Americans have about Iranians, one kabob at a time.

S1E5
What Is Chop Suey Anyway?
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the U.S. but the flavors of a vast country have been simplified over time. In San Francisco, Padma explores how Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans are broadening our understanding of this cuisine

Summary

Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the U.S. but the flavors of a vast country have been simplified over time. In San Francisco, Padma explores how Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans are broadening our understanding of this cuisine

S1E4
The Gullah Way
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

The Gullah Geechee people of South Carolina are fighting to preserve the traditions passed down from their ancestors, West Africans forced into slavery. Padma catches and cracks crab with new friends and old, all working towards reclaiming their heritage.

Summary

The Gullah Geechee people of South Carolina are fighting to preserve the traditions passed down from their ancestors, West Africans forced into slavery. Padma catches and cracks crab with new friends and old, all working towards reclaiming their heritage.

S1E3
Don't Mind if I Dosa
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma asks family, friends and those she admires how they hold onto Indian culture and pass it to the next generation. In NYC, she cooks the dishes that remind her of her original home and tastes Indian foods near her current home.

Summary

Padma asks family, friends and those she admires how they hold onto Indian culture and pass it to the next generation. In NYC, she cooks the dishes that remind her of her original home and tastes Indian foods near her current home.

S1E2
The All American Weiner
Air date: 18/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels… Many think these foods are quintessentially American, but their origins are actually German. In Milwaukee, Padma meets descendants of early German immigrants who hold onto their heritage by celebrating and reclaiming it.

Summary

Hot dogs, hamburgers, pretzels… Many think these foods are quintessentially American, but their origins are actually German. In Milwaukee, Padma meets descendants of early German immigrants who hold onto their heritage by celebrating and reclaiming it.

S1E1
Burritos at the Border
Air date: 19/Jun/2020 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

El Paso was once part of Mexico. Its border location defines the region’s identity and the complexity of America’s political landscape. Padma eats her way through this border city while discovering the origins of one of America’s most beloved cuisines.

Summary

El Paso was once part of Mexico. Its border location defines the region’s identity and the complexity of America’s political landscape. Padma eats her way through this border city while discovering the origins of one of America’s most beloved cuisines.

Season 0 · Specials
4 episode(s) · Air date: 04/Nov/2021
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Season Overview

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S0E4
K-Town Countdown
Air date: 04/Nov/2021 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Lunar New Year - a time to look forward while celebrating the old and the new. Join Padma as she dives into Los Angeles' Koreatown, soaking up a delicious mix of fabulous flavors and toasting a communal birthday.

Summary

Lunar New Year - a time to look forward while celebrating the old and the new. Join Padma as she dives into Los Angeles' Koreatown, soaking up a delicious mix of fabulous flavors and toasting a communal birthday.

S0E3
Mojo-ho Christmas
Air date: 04/Nov/2021 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

If you’re smelling pork in the air, it must be close to Nochebuena! Join Padma as she connects with the Cuban community of Miami to learn about their food, history, and the recreation of their homeland on American soil.

Summary

If you’re smelling pork in the air, it must be close to Nochebuena! Join Padma as she connects with the Cuban community of Miami to learn about their food, history, and the recreation of their homeland on American soil.

S0E2
Truth and the Turkey Tale
Air date: 04/Nov/2021 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma visits Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard to deconstruct the holiday narrative and learn more about the lifeways and food of original Americans - the Wampanoag Nation.

Summary

Padma visits Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard to deconstruct the holiday narrative and learn more about the lifeways and food of original Americans - the Wampanoag Nation.

S0E1
Happy Challah Days
Air date: 04/Nov/2021 · Runtime: 31 min
Summary

Padma noshes her way through eight decadent nights of Chanukah on New Yorks Lower East Side. Along the way, she explores the origins of JewishAmerican identity and learns about the true meaning of Chanukah.

Summary

Padma noshes her way through eight decadent nights of Chanukah on New Yorks Lower East Side. Along the way, she explores the origins of JewishAmerican identity and learns about the true meaning of Chanukah.

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