I thought I had seen it all until I arrived in the Philippines. I was on a mission to try Balut, a legendary street food that has a bit of a reputation for being the most “shocking” snack in Southeast Asia. It is a fertilized duck egg that has been incubated for about 18 days. I found a local stall in Pateros, and what I saw inside that shell was unlike anything I have ever eaten.
A Look Inside
As I peeled back the shell, I couldn’t believe my eyes. This egg was incredibly developed. I could clearly see feathers starting to form on the embryo. My friend and I were both stunned. “Is that feathers?” I asked, and the answer was a definite yes. It was almost a baby duck.
The locals told me this is the best one to show on camera because of how far along it is. I was a bit nervous, and I even tried to get my friend to help me eat it. “You can have the feathers,” I joked, but she wasn’t having it.
Diving In
The experience of eating Balut is intense. First, you have to add a bit of vinegar and salt. I took a bite, and the texture was actually very soft. The broth inside the egg is savory and rich, but you definitely have to get past the visual aspect of the feathers and the tiny beak.
A Final Surprise
I managed to get it down, but the experience didn’t end there. I actually felt a small feather get caught in my throat as I was finishing. It was a wild moment, and we both had a good laugh about it afterward.
Balut might not be for everyone, but it is a massive part of Filipino street food culture. It is an experience I am glad I had, even if I was a little bit shocked by what I found inside.
Would you be brave enough to try a snack with feathers and a beak, or do you prefer your street food a little less… developed?