Gary Mehigan is on a culinary road trip through Asia, from the spice markets of Delhi to a kim chi lesson in South Korea. He’ll meet cooks, chefs and stall holders in kitchens and markets, eat food he’s never seen before, learn some new skills – even try to run his own rice taco stall in Ho Chi Minh City – and then take what he’s learned home to cook in his own kitchen.
Episode 1 – India
Gary starts his Far Flung travels in Mumbai, with some ideas of what he wants to discover is this incredibly vibrant city. Gary has organised to cook with a catering company that provides tiffin boxes for the workers of Mumbai. At the last minute he is told the kitchen is vegan, which means a quick change to his planned menu. He then follows the delivery process that the dabbawalas (tiffin deliverers) use to get thousands of meals across the city every day.
Next stop Delhi, and the busy, overflowing Old Delhi spice markets, where he discovers spices and herbs he has never heard of. It provides inspiration for him to take back to Australia, where he cooks a dosa masala (fermented pancake with potato filling) in his kitchen in Melbourne.
Tiffin delivery moves thousands of lunches every day. Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Episode 2 – India Part 2
Next stop in India is Chennai, where Gary has organised to meet up with Dan, a mate from Australia, at the fish markets. Gary is inspired to cook a fish curry with Dan on the beach. Then, Gary – who loves motorbikes almost as much as he loves food - takes the opportunity while in Chennai to visit the factory of one of the most iconic motorcycles, Royal Enfield. He might even get a chance to ride one.
Next it’s on to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, for the RIFF folk festival at the Mehrangarh Fort, and dinner hosted by the Maharajah himself. It’s timed to coincide with the Sharad Purnima, full moon, and there are thousands of people coming to the festival in addition to the dinner. Gary seeks out Chef Shailendra, who oversees the preparation and service of all the food for the Maharajah. Gary tastes from the giant pots of curries and dishes like handi poti kebab.
Gary Mehigan takes in the views in Jodhpur Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Back at home, Gary cooks a rich, northern India-inspired lamb curry with naan bread.
Back home in his kitchen, Gary's travels inspire him to cook lamb curry and naan Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Episode 3 – Vietnam
The first destination is Ho Chi Minh City, to seek out a dish Gary loves: banh xeo (a crisp savoury crepe). Next, he sets himself a challenge: making and selling a dish hugely popular in Saigon, Vietnamese tacos. He heads to a market to shop, then sets himself up on the side of the road to try his hand. Thanks to some help from the locals he finally has success.
There’s a quick side trip to Phú Quốc to taste some of the world’s finest fish sauce, and then it’s on to Hanoi where he sneaks in a quick ride with Andrew from VIP Bikes, who is changing young, disadvantaged lives through his bike repair shop. Then it's time try the local pho, and to taste a unique coffee recipe. Back in Melbourne, he cooks his version of rice paper rolls.
Rice paper tacos Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Episode 4 – Laos
Gary lands in Laos, and the city of Vientiane, where he picks up a local bike and takes a tour, with a picnic for one. It‘s a fascinating place full of beautiful fresh produce, wide open roads and lots of temples.
It’s then time to head down to Luang Prabang. Gary meets up with a friend who owns a villa on the river, and cooks him his version of a duck larb. Gary is then offered the opportunity to cook for the monks, so he visits a local market and plans his menu. It’s an early 3am start to be ready on time, but a local allows him to use her kitchen, and she helps him with the preparation of his meal. Back in Melbourne, Gary cooks fish with beans and green mango.
Exploring Laos Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Episode 5 – South Korea
Gary discovers South Korea is a riot of colour, fashion and food. He heads to Gwangjang market, which has been operating since 1905, to meet fellow Masterchef judge, Korea’s Leo Kang. Leo is South Korean TV royalty, and he shows Gary around the markets, to taste a wonderful array of local foods.
On to Gangnam, to Le Tois, which is a fine-dining restaurant located in a private hospital. Working to the concept that food can be medicine, Chef Youm and his team design menus for patients as a part of their recovery plan. Chef Youm then treats Gary to his favourite pastime, a motorbike ride to see some more of Seoul, its outskirts and the Suwon fortress.
Gary Mehigan and Leo Kang at Gwangjang market Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Finally, Gary goes to Jeonju, where he meets up with another chef, Jason, who is going to help him compete in the local bibimbap competition. First, though, they learn to make kimchi, and recruit their teacher to help with the competition.
It all ends back in Gary’s kitchen, where he makes a kimchi pork stew called jjigae.
Episode 6 – Hong Kong
Gary is nearing the end of his travels, and as he heads to Hong Kong, he has dumplings on his mind. He visits to the famous one Michelen-starred Tim Ho Wan, famous for dumplings, and it’s well worth the trip.
There’s plenty more eating to be done: Gary eats snake soup then visits the Sham Shui Po neighbourhood to try some amazing desserts and sweets. Next he meets up with his friend Ronnie at LabMade to cook up a coconut and papaya ice-cream.
Gary has always loved the martial arts, and takes up the opportunity to meet up with Jerry Yeung, a Hong Kong martial arts master. Gary tries some moves, but it all comes back to the food, and Jerry takes Gary to his favourite restaurant. Back home, Gary cooks crab with black bean sauce at home, reflecting on his trip to Hong Kong and all his far flung travels.
Gary Mehigan gets a dumpling lesson in Hong Kong Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Gary Mehigan samples sweets in Hong Kong Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
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