Tradition Meets Molecular Gastronomy: MUNCHIES Guide to the Basque Country (Episode 1)

In the Munchies Guide to the Basque Country, host Irene Peralta explores the culinary offerings of one of the world’s greatest food destinations. With over 40 Michelin-starred restaurants serving a population the size of Bucharest, the passion for gastronomy here is tangible. They’re as proud here of their home cooks as they are of their celebrity chefs, and MUNCHIES is here to discover Basque cuisine in all its strange and delicious forms-from crystallized fish scales to hake chin jelly, it promises to be a real treat.
In Episode 1, “Old and New,” Irene starts with a traditional feast at one of San Sebastian’s most historic gastronomic societies: Txokos, a Basque institution for hundreds of years. Then she zooms into the 21st century to meet gastronaut Eneko Atxa, three-star-Michelin chef-patron of ultra-sustainable restaurant Azurmendi, visiting his Willy-Wonka-style lab, kitchen, and greenhouse.
RECIPES:
Red Pepper Pintxo - bit.ly/1DFQB4Z
Watch more MUNCHIES Guide to...bit.ly/Guide-To-
Oaxaca: bit.ly/1M4trJ7
Scotland: bit.ly/1ERkmBm
Tehran: bit.ly/1zztRCd
The North of England: bit.ly/1IzkQ1W
Subscribe to Munchies here: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Check out munchies.tv for more!
Follow Munchies here:
Facebook: / munchies
Twitter: / munchies
Tumblr: / munchies
Instagram: / munchiesvice
More videos from the VICE network: www. vic...

[@Kornqueen1]

More than any other place I have seen on Munchies, I would love to visit Azurmendi. The beauty and the delicacies would probably overwhelm me. I was almost in tears from seeing just the small part of this place they showcased. It gives me hope that maybe someday we (humans) will be able to live off of the earth without sacrificing our inventiveness and imagination.

[@Salomious]

Skidamarinkido ILOVEU Lovely words...really :)

[@MercSLRFan]

This is shaping up to be one of the best series.

[@thenyel1]

I agree. I wanna also visit Spain

[@RyftWolf]

This is what I want to see more of. A breakdown of culture through food culture and food/science stuff interwoven with it. Among the best if not the best series on here so far, and this is only part 1. :D

[@Simba_Ke]

Irene is the best!

[@ThePhyze]

This is a great revelation for a people of Basque. Thanks Irene & Munchies! Keep it up!

[@ByronLumley2009]

More munchies with Irene, she is the perfect host!

[@jareddobson2354]

Do you know her full name?

[@lostwoods95]

im always surprised at how uneducated, vulgar and xenophobic people are in the comments section of these videos... You're subscribed to a fucking food channel and complain whenever there isnt a video of Action Bronson or fried food.. come the fuck on people, theres more to life than burgers out there. Oh and as per usual, great video; the Basque country is an amazing place, having been to san sebastian and bilbao several times, it truly is a beautiful place.

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

+lostwoods95 I think a lot has to do with the fact that this sort of food and luxury is reserved only for the very privileged. You are probably one of them, but not all people have that luxury. Also these sort of comments are everywhere.. But Oh my how cultured are you.. have you also been to India and broke bread with people in the slums? just an example since there too is culture.... I don't think you have. Or only as a safari...

[@begonaamann6536]

No, you are completely wrong. In the basque homes we eat such food and I assure you I am not privileged. It´s our tradition, teached from grandmas/grandpas to mums/ dads and so on... We love to cook and to spend time with family and friends around the table. We are lucky to live in such a place, full of history, traditions and aweeeeesome food.

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

begoña amann Hi. Yes but i was talking about the (culinary) tourists my friend. And yes it is a beautiful thing/privilege to live in such an awesome place, with such a family. One of the nicest things/privileges you can have. ;)

[@begonaamann6536]

Sorry!!! I misunderstood!!! Anyway the "pintxos", that cost between 2-5 euros each are tiny examples and bits of our food and tourists can find them almost everywhere. They are not the same as homecooking but... Sorry again and have a nice day!!!!

[@Kokorisu]

Wonderful series! A good reflection on many aspects of our culture. Many might not understand the emphasis on politics in here, but the issue of basque identity has simply seeped into our everyday life. Cheers from Bilbao (Biscay)!

[@drumherum]

MORE OF THIS! good host and whoever edited this did a really good job, was fun to watch...

[@l_combo]

I love all these series please keep doing more - love to see this kind of culture and passion for food. Takes me back to when I lived in Spain.

[@jobplacencia6497]

Spain has an incredible gastronomy

[@grampawud]

Bilbao looks like a place full of delicious gastronomic delights. I hope they visit Frodao at some point, I hear it's even better.

[@JaViMaD91]

Nice to see Spain in Munchies! Keep them coming!

[@gucika100]

Sab Sebastian is down on my travel list! what a great freaking episode! Merci Munchies!

[@il343]

I like her accent, the blending of the english accent she's been taught with her native spanish one is really pleasing to the ears.

[@kryzz]

I loved Irene she's very real and pleasant to listen to and seems to be a likable person from how welcoming everyone is!!

[@TheDailySmoker123]

She looks like Eva Green, the accent is also very similiar

[@sportlol]

acojonante, cant wait for part2

[@isis5888]

Holy shit this series is cool.

[@kkvvdd]

tbh Spaniard Sky Ferreira is one of the most intelligent Munchies correspondents I've seen in a while

[@25pesetas5duros]

And thats what happens when you bring a girl from Barcelona to report about food in the Basque Country. 3 Minutes talking about independency..... fuck that. FUCK POLITICS ENJOY FOOD LOVE THE BASQUE COUNTRY LOVE SPAIN.

[@karl-arnal]

***** yeah right, that is not politics? Spanish nationalists suppose their nationalism is natural and all other nations that want to exist as independent countries don't have even the right to speak about it? fuck you idiot

[@25pesetas5duros]

Pretty rude. Take care.

[@danielmayner2312]

urbanbehive8 YOU RULE DUDE !!!!!

[@bainazereuskadi]

***** So, fuck politics but love spain?? What spanish nationalists like you try to say is that loving the basque country (and only the basque country as our nation an country) is wrong and that's politics, but loving spain is totally normal, like it appears in the bible...

[@25pesetas5duros]

Remember its a food video...fuck politics, love Spain and love the basque country. For me bringing politics into the video is a mistake. I care more about food.

[@Dragonwing16]

fascinating and delicious

[@tweakypoppy]

I like the host but I really like the woman who fed the camera guy at 5:13. She seems to be part of the crew.

[@klontic]

beauty spot is the term these days

[@GrieverHellfire]

"Mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le, mo-le." - Austin Powers

[@COUGHCOOL23]

Classic

[@nintenjoel]

NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT THERE IT IS!

[@soniaromero305]

Irene Peralta y comida, el paraíso de los gordos

[@danteuribe2179]

I fell madly in love with the camera guy at 5:13 lol

[@joeJoe-pb3su]

I am loving basque..I wish I had some money to go there and spend a few weeks there. I am feeling home sick..

[@KingDennisJensen]

Canadian here. Just wondering why the Spanish people are hating the Basque people or whatever in the comments. Is there a different accent that they speak? Just curious is all.

[@echelonaino4307]

KingDennisJensen hello, in general there has always been conflicts between Spanish and Basque people because us, Basque people ( not all though) want independence from spain.

[@JavierSanchez-dn4yn]

Not true at all, nowadays we all live together in harmony. There should be some minority of people who complain about them (probably their lives are quite boring). Spain differs a lot from every community, and that's why we Spaniards are very regionalists: I'm Valencian, I'm Catalan, I'm Basque, I'm Andalucian, I'm Galician ...

[@bemyescape84]

Woah how cool!!

[@TheInvisiblesTJD]

They should've gotten Eddie Huang to do this imo.

[@nintenjoel]

Best comment here.

[@Inkaian]

Nah, Riff Raff.

[@JeffM375]

That asian guy that dresses like a 13 year old?? LOL oh pls i would rather have a black guy

[@greencloud9467]

Action bronson. Huang is a pussy.

[@pvendeloo7512]

Green Cloud you sir is an og munchies sub

[@trueblu8]

Damn. She's fine. Great episode too.

[@AndreasChan]

She looks a lot like Eva Green.

[@inesaldazabalruiz2793]

I know rightttt

[@G00R00]

Amazing

[@10405]

She reminds me of Eva green, i love her

[@MarkEsquivel1229]

my moms family is from basque and this makes me want to go so bad

[@FXR_Marine]

So nice, I would love to eat there. I dated a beautiful Basque girl I met through a bro when I was a teenager

[@bonfire_lightning992]

6:25 Welcome to the world's most sustainable restaurant, which is also part winery, part science lab, and part greenhouse! In the Basque Country of Spain, Eneko Atxa and his friends have created a completely remote controlled garden to feed their guests.

[@Rundeish]

The content of this episode was amazing, really interesting and amazing scenery - and food. I gotta say that the host is a bit bland, personality-wise, for my liking. She was spot on with the voice over, but as soon as see had to describe or interact with another person it got boring. But hey, I'm just more into the entertainment aspect and her peers make for hard comparisons; Action Bronson and Matty!

[@MorbidOrangeCat]

holy moley

[@lauramateu2125]

Hi, does anyone know if this chick is single and how to get her phone number? Thanks

[@Dave....]

You're a lesbian?

[@Rafinhaa3]

Dave nah m8, she's asking for a friend

[@TheDeviousLight]

***** yea me

[@Dave....]

***** Oh ok. That would of been a sexy lesbian couple tho.

[@Saturnize7]

***** How presumptuous!

[@stelar7905]

I am spanish :D

[@klavs4209]

Can i live with this woman together?

[@ItsVikVaughn]

Aren't the Basque people the ancestors of the English?

[@bainazereuskadi]

Viktor Vaughn Genetically speaking, yes. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/features/mythsofbritishancestry

[@ItsVikVaughn]

ta for the link!

[@Oyeah12]

wtf?? English people are germanics with Indo-European language, as other Europeans. BASQUES are the oldest Indigenous people in europe!

[@ItsVikVaughn]

Rhino sun English people are Basque with a mixture of Anglo and Saxon. We speak the Germanic language 'English', but used to speak a language called Brittonic, which sounds exactly like Spanish.

[@10Patxipu]

yes viktor, there are some language and fonetical experts like theo venneman and ophenheimer(which is british) that they think the english people come from the basque ones

[@DanielThomasArgueta]

5:13 Lol

[@stupot295]

what's the first song?

[@weissblitz100]

I like this video, but I'd argue that Basque is not the oldest language still spoken. That's quite a thing to say lol

[@sashimithief]

The menu but irl

[@taureanphilpott4319]

Irena, me casas?

[@camos89]

she looks like a skinny jessa from Girls.

[@shararehali]

She looks like Eva Green

[@luisaguilar8485]

She remind me a little of Eva Green?

[@mathewwhitford8544]

THAT's who she reminded me of. Thanks for that

[@OCSleazy]

2:46 That guy looks like the Dictator from the Sacha Baron Cohen film.

[@pervZAGGert]

Eva Green??

[@adityavenkatraman7509]

Eva green anyone?

[@Gourmet_Goon80]

She's beautiful!

[@freezinfeet]

these day there isn't really anything of independence other than name, and a little bit of politics. if they were independent it would most likely be in name only, since they're so closely linked to spain culture

[@Saturnize7]

Women aren't able to cook for men? Did I understand that correctly? Damn that sucks.

[@abelpower]

In a few food society women cant enter. But almost all of them they can cook and clean but no eat.

[@Salomious]

ImperviousMason Of c. women can enter, but just not on those societies´s kitchens. Those are strictly "men territory". They are allowed to eat what men cook and enjoy themselves there, but not to cook. It is like a "mencookingday" where they can enjoy their long-male-friends company and conversation etc with the greatest food and wine.Women are of c. allowed: the only thing they cannot do is cooking or interfere with cooking: That is a male business there :)

[@ME-zn7mw]

What's that song at 1:40 called? (Darude my ass 😉)

[@MrGuido630]

"...since 1870... before anything existed in the Basque Country or in Spain" LMAO. Have you ever picked up a book on history? Or european history? Spain is one of the oldest nations in Europe! Vice, you chose an illiterate and biased presenter who just can't be profesional enough to inform herself or be objective about a topic. It's a shame you completely invalidated an otherwise very informative and valid documentary about the Basque Country's identity. Well done, Irene, I hope you're happy.

[@albertocriado3271]

I am Spanish and yeah, she is a piece of shit as presenter. Nonetheless do not take every word literally, cuz here we don't

[@mandiola2010]

Molecular cuisine sucks.

[@echelonaino4307]

I gotta say that the man who spoke basque, speaks it very poorly and this is coming from a person who is from the Basque Country

[@MrMeriloto]

at 0:50 you state "the Basque Country is an autonomous region in northern Spain" ... No, it is not!! I think you meant Euskadi/Euskal Autonomia Erkidogea/Vasque Autonomous Region. The image displayed is Euskal Herria, the so called Basque Country greater region!! Nafarroa is NOT in the Basque region!! And then all the BS stated from 01:00 til 01:20? Ask around in Lapurdi, Beherea, or Zuberoa about brutally suppressed rights. Oh, I forgot, that's France, they're not meant to that there, isn't? Of course, that's why Basque language is official and recognized in France (jokes!). Sad, very sad this display of bias ignorance. In any case, gora Euskadi, their food is awesome.

[@ZKZ123]

Anyone notice the red bean stuck on her chin?

[@AndHaunted]

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLE

[@andreaayuso9184]

"They´ve long been known for their fierce sense of identity" - bollocks. Although born out of understandable circumstances, the only reason Basque nationalism is associated with violence is because they've been blowing people up for 40 years or more. Under Franco it was understandable to fight fire with fire but he kicked the bucket in 1975 for fucks sake. It´s complete bullshit of her to say that the thing most associable with the Basque country is food; it´s actually terrorism for the majority of Spaniards lol And the worst thing is this sense of regional identity in Spain (prevalent in the Basque Country and Catalonia) is mainly filtered down through top to bottom tactics by the filthy rich who control resource distribution in these areas hoping to make more money out of a smaller government that caters solely for that region.

[@OsoCaliforniano]

It's irresponsible to make this political.

[@NebPWN]

the girl looks so weird

[@alwaysnotnever]

Yes.

[@StimulatedCynic]

Send action Bronson here not this girl who’s as entertaining as watching paint dry it really takes the air out of this really interesting place in the world of culinary arts

[@watzbaer]

I dont feel her passion for food at all. Shouldnt there be some passion with a host of a food show? The topic is so interessting, but tasting the food with empty eyes is killing it.

[@kemita]

Que risa. Todos los comentarios de este video son españoletes insultandose unos a otros en inglés. No, TÚ eres inculto, mentira, lo eres tú ! BIBA ESPAÑA.

[@palabrisas]

+kemita Typical Spanish....ya sabes.

[@donatepavon]

There´s no need for propaganda, stick to the food. Basque the oldest language in the world, oppressed nation, the map doesnt represent the Basque country nowadays.

[@danielmayner2312]

+donatepavon Those are facts it´s not propaganda, by the way the map represents the extent of the basque culture, which used to be the Kingdom of Navarre

[@donatepavon]

The oldest language? A fact?

[@donatepavon]

Its completely fine for me if people feel this or other way, but at least allow me to be skeptical with this discourse. Ethnically pure, never mixed with anyone else, oldest language... I heard this before!

[@danielmayner2312]

+donatepavon Basque it´s the oldest language in europe, thats a fact yes, correct me if Im wrong but I belive that nobody in this video speaks about ethnical purity, what they state is that the basque people is the oldest ethnic group in Europe, I know what you are trying to imply saying that you have heard this discourse before, wont work.

[@donatepavon]

Apparently Basque language is very old, as studies point, but saying that it is the oldest is overreaching. They didnt talk about this "ethnical" purity in the video but this is also part of the discourse. "Oldest ethnic group in Europe"?? Seriously? Overreaching a bit again, dont you think? I dont say it is bad or good, just point that Its the same "magical" nationalism that has been around for ages. The purest, the best, the oldest, bla bla...

[@sophoclestutorial]

She is awful as presenter, very disagreeable. I stop watching after a minute.

[@francesculus]

she needs a decent hair cut...

[@gstrdms]

This girl lacks refinement, in every sense.

[@roqueiglesias8063]

This girl doesnt have a clue of cookin or gastronomy ._.

[@KevinBullard]

What is that on her face? Is it a piercing?

[@TwoThirdsBird]

It's Kristen Stewart, but Spanish and interesting.

[@Narlini]

lmao

[@candymigu]

TwoThirdsBird fuck the basque

[@LordSantiagor]

@@candymigu relajate hombre

[@candymigu]

ltx no fuck u

[@Munchies]

In the first episode of the Munchies Guide to the Basque, Irene starts with a traditional feast at Basque institution Txokos, then meets food wizard Eneko Atxa of Azurmendi.

[@UnlistedInvisibility]

You guys should just do more of these amazing documentaries, great food, great culture, great videos. Don't bother with those getting high, being fat crap (Other than the guy who did the BBQ video, he was cool). These + Chef's Night Out = Perfecto. Also forget about The Dinner Bell, she's gone downhill since episode 2.

[@112233jjooee]

UnlistedInvisibility eddie huang is a real nigga, you better respect.

[@jamesbeveridge2397]

She reminds me of a slightly less attractive eva green, saying that she is still a stunner.

[@allenlong171]

I need to get to Basque country. The food looks amazing as well as the countryside.

[@kujnac123]

where did they hide the special grow room?

[@battleso89]

BASQUE COUNTRY IS NOT A COUNTRY ITSELF AND IT IS NOT AN AUTONOMOUS REGION EITHER, I DONT KNOW WHY EVERYONE IN THE VIDEO WANTS TO BE A PART, IS THERE ANY POINT IN THE INDEPENDENCE APART OF THE POLITICS? DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

[@Dobleclick]

Actually, regions in Spain are called "Autonomías", so it makes perfect sense to call them autonomous, whether you like it or not. Also, your comment was the first one I saw that actually cared about the "politics" mentioned in this video. It seems YOU care about the difference of being autonomous or not more than anyone else here.

[@HugsmadeDrugs]

Dobleclick every other region of Spain is called Autonomy. Historical region is a term that is often called between the Spaniards regions that indeed have a set of people's and cultural traits that are similar within the same region but different within Spain. The most notable Examples are Cataluña, and Basque country (plus la rioja which is part of the historical region of Basque country)

[@arnaudparadis1826]

Where are you from ? and What do you know about our country and our land ?

[@killercaos123]

The dude is probably from Madrid. One of those "traditional" Spaniards.

[@MaLdERaranjuez]

***** traduceme comunidades autonomas entonces listo (ahora es cuando dice autonomous communities y todos nos descojonamos) Cuando en ingles se dice autonomous region no lo estan haciendo porq esten "politically biased", q en este video no voy a negar q no haya un poco de eso, sino porq es la traduccion q tienen. Si estuvieran hablando de aragon por ejemplo, tambien tendrian que decir autonomous region

[@mims846]

More Basque episodes!!! I'm going to Donostia very soon!!!!

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Forget the Michelin Stars and pomp, I will take the bars and society's every single time. True passionate home cooking. Amazing.

[@Muhlogan]

Im really excited for more episodes. This looks like its going to be amazing

[@correadoggsten]

It's funny how when she speaks english you can hear the british accent layered on top of the spanish one

[@persianprince1979]

It is quite obvious she lived in England .

[@Samuel-zz8nj]

ufff... La propaganda política

[@praesdynamite4596]

These videos make me hungry. Thank you I need to eat more.

[@matthewsnyder77]

Enjoyed seeing Daniel López, hopefully there will be some stuff at Kokotxa in Ep 3. (Love that restaurant)

[@Konfleik]

0:50 That delimitation is supposed to be Euskal Herria if i'm not wrong.

[@Marck1o]

Brutal el vídeo, esperando la segunda parte con mucha ansia. Qué envidia me ha dao la chavala esta ARGHHHhhhhh

[@martyrobson4958]

Yer woman is a babe 😍

[@ThePrucru]

Great work you've done here. :) Looking forward to part 2. Congrats!

[@ilovejimrogers]

cute.

[@MisterBananu]

Amazing! Cant wait for pt.2

[@tngchinghwa]

the food looks awesome!!

[@issam1398]

amazing episode

[@MrYangf1]

oldest language still spoken? I don't think so. I believe Hindi or Khoisan might have a say in that argument.

[@fmlAllthetime]

It is one of the oldest. Although you do have a point with Khoisan, Basque could possibly contend with Hindi. It's a language isolate and pretty much the only one at that in continental Europe. There probably will never be a real answer for this, but if you have any more knowledge on the subject, I would gladly listen.

[@Dragonwing16]

i was thinking the same thing but it is an older generation and they are proud and patriotic, you know how it is

[@karl-arnal]

certainly oldest in Europe, the guy is not a linguist, he just loves his country

[@peacefulpi]

serbian is the oldest

[@fmlAllthetime]

peaceful pi ...

[@pachimendiburu3696]

Con el "feroz sentido de la identidad" que tuvo la ETA se me han quitado las ganas de comer

[@Hubris030]

"Their" food Isnt as unique as they are making it out to be! Sadly neither is this vice presenter....

[@mok0s1]

It used to be unique at the beggining of the 90s, now is just common modern food.

[@Salomious]

Kenn Martin " With over 40 Michelin-starred restaurants serving a population the size of Bucharest"...Think twice.