\n<\/p>\n
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 \u201cshocking\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
As I peeled back the shell, I couldn\u2019t 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. \u201cIs that feathers?\u201d I asked, and the answer was a definite yes. It was almost a baby duck.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cYou can have the feathers,\u201d I joked, but she wasn\u2019t having it.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
I managed to get it down, but the experience didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Would you be brave enough to try a snack with feathers and a beak, or do you prefer your street food a little less\u2026 developed?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n