Fostering camaraderie
even said that I would die! But it’s a great experience and it’s something I’m going to remember forever.” Yin even said he has some samples for us. “I brought some (of the urine) back from India and you can let me know if you’re interested! I’ll send you guys some sample.” Uhh, we’ll have to pass on that.
Surprisingly, Yin didn’t name cow urine as the grossest thing he ever had to consume while filming the latest season.
“I tried coconut grub worm in Vietnam. You take it, dip into some vinegar wine mix and eat it raw while it’s still alive. You can feel the guts exploding in your mouth and it’s really disgusting.”
For those who are starting to feel bad about Yin’s culinary experience on the show, he shares that he is not alone in this process.
“Whatever I have to eat on the show, everybody on the production team has to eat it too. My director, sound guy and camera guy know about this rule.”
He added: “The rule helps with our brotherhood. It lets us know that we’re in this together and it helps us bond. We’re just four bros hanging out and being stupid, you know.”
From the challenges he performs on the show, Yin has developed a newfound understanding for the local customs. He cited an upcoming episode filmed in Indonesia as an example.
“They have this tradition called panjat pinang and it comes from a long history of Dutch occupation in Indonesia. So the Dutch set up this long pole and grease it up. Hanging at the top of the pole are items like food, clothes and tools. They will then sit back and watch the Indonesians struggle to climb the pole just to get the items.
“But what the Indonesians have done is turn the thing around and make it their tradition. So they will gather the community, climb the pole and then share the prize. I thought it was a very beautiful and meaningful tradition.”
Yin admitted to being emotional about the experience.
“So there I was and a number of other topless guys trying to climb a greased pole. The entire village came out to support our endeavours in trying to get to the top. It literally took us the whole day to get there and when we did, it was one of the best things that ever happened in my entire life.”
Yin hopes that his misadventures will inspire viewers to go out and experience the road less travelled.
“Just be careful because some of it can be pretty dangerous. I hope they go out, try it and then realise that everything will be OK at the end of the day.”
Apart from hosting Hidden Cities: Extreme, Yin is working on his next feature film. Previously, he directed Supercapitalist, a financial thriller released in 2012.
“I’m writing a musical, that’s my next passion project.”
But just don’t expect Yin to participate on the show.
“Will I be singing and dancing in it? I’m not, because that would be too extreme for sure,” he laughed. as the host of Simon yin samples the good, the bad and the ugly of local asian cuisine.