Welcome to the Curry Shop: a new weekly series that explores one of the world’s most misunderstood comfort foods. From Japan to Jamaica to China to Vietnam, every culture has its own spin on a bowl of curry—and Indian-Canadian rapper Horsepowar is here to sample them all.
The first stop on Horsepowar’s quest is the Philippines. To help Horsepowar answer some of her burning curry questions, she’s teaming up with the hilarious Filipino comedian and food philosopher Jo Koy. At Maharlika in NYC, Jo drops some knowledge about Bicol Express—a spicy, coconut-based stew that bares a striking resemblance to some of the curries Horsepowar has sampled in her travels. But the feast doesn't end there: From remixed chicken and waffles, to 7-Up–cured pork tenderloin, Jo and Horsepowar also explore the cultural roots of Filipino fusion before making a final verdict on Bicol Express. Is Bicol Express truly a curry? Is curry really just a stew? Find out the answers to these existential food queries on the series premiere of the Curry Shop.
