Experience Of Eating A Balut
My experience of eating a Balut happened on a drunken night in Vigan, in the Philippines. Balut is a boiled developing duck embryo eaten straight from the shell, and as a vegetarian I never expected to try one. Here is what Balut is and how I ended up gulping one down.
A Night Out in Vigan
“You haven’t tried a Balut? I can’t let you leave Vigan without having one,” said Mark, a guy I met at the Legacy Bar on Calle Crisologo.
We trudged through the dimly lit alleys to the main road, dazed and drunk. Food stalls rimmed the narrow cobblestone streets, and most of the vendors were steaming eggs in baskets made of wood splints and cane.
My curious eye caught a glimpse of them, but before I could say a word, Mark said, “Let’s get one from this stall.”
We sat at the wooden stand and the vendor walked up to us. After a brief exchange of greetings, she handed us a plastic plate with a pinch of salt, a bottle of vinegar sauce and a Balut.
What Is a Balut?
A Balut, as the Filipinos call it, is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell. It is a popular street food in many Asian countries, under different names:
| Philippines | Balut |
| Vietnam | hột vịt lộn |
| Cambodia | pong tia koon |
| Laos | khai look |
People believe these eggs are a nutritious and restorative food for pregnant or delivering women, while some say they can also increase male fertility.
My Experience of Eating a Balut
As I cracked open the shell, I was confronted with the foetus of a baby duck. No! I frowned. That’s absurd.
Being a vegetarian, holding a duck embryo was a bizarre experience.
Eventually, locals gathered around and started cheering me on. I sipped the broth that surrounded the embryo, then, without another thought, peeled the shell as quickly as I could, added some vinegar and salt, and gulped it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Balut made of?
Balut is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.
How is Balut eaten?
You crack open the shell, sip the broth surrounding the embryo, peel the rest of the shell and eat it with a little salt and vinegar sauce.
Where did I try Balut?
From a street food stall near Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Philippines, after a night at the Legacy Bar.
Conclusion
Eating a Balut was one of the strangest food moments of my travels, and one I will never forget. If you find yourself in Vigan, the stalls along its cobblestone streets are where to try it.
Have you ever tried Balut? What was the weirdest food you ever ate?
oh gosshh.. being a Non-veggie its bit hard for me to get there and gulp it easily I felt.. uuuhhh what a experience
Sreeram, you know….first time i heard/saw about eating a balut on national geographic.i love to watch all this “weird ” things that for others are very normal:) (Taboo_by national geographic)
…u tried it.Congratulation, you are very brave
Thank You Elena, it was indeed an experience. Honestly, I still can’t believe that I ate that.
Awesome! Didn’t expect you to eat that knowing you’re vegan! Anyways nice try 🙂
Thanks Sheila, it was indeed a lifetime experience, specially when being surrounded by cheerful locals encouraging my try..