Feasting on Fetus: 5 Steps to Eating Balut
Over a week had passed since my arrival in Manila, the Philippines, and I had eaten countless plates of Bicol Express, pork and chicken adobo, and deep fried “1 day old chickens.”
There was however one notoriously weird, some call nasty, but nevertheless popular Filipino foods that I had not indulged in, and I needed to. This “treat with feet,” or “eggs with legs,” was featured as an eating contest on Fear Factor where they called it gross.
It often makes the top list of strange or weird foods from around the world and cracked.com rated it as the number one most terrifying foods in the world.
Yes, it was about time for Migration Mark to consume the famous boiled, fertilized duck or chicken egg including the semi developed, feathery and leathery fetus, known simply as “Balut.”
It didn’t take more than 2 minutes to locate a balut seller across the street who was proudly serving up his boiled eggs. The vendor opened up his chest, pulled out three tame looking eggs and handed them to us.
Though it was my debut occasion, I quickly figured out that there are really only five simple steps to eating balut.
1. Peel a small hole at the top.
2. Drink the chicken soup from the hole.
3. Peel the rest of the egg.
4. Eat the yolk and egg white.
5. Save the best for last, the feathery, wrinkled, duck fetus.
It’s really quite a simple process.
For a moment I felt like I was committing an abortion, but I got over that real fast.
Despite what many say, Balut is really not as bad as it sounds or as bad as some make it out to be. I wouldn’t say I would jump at the chance to eat balut, however I would gladly partake in the right situation with little hesitation. With the aid of a large amount of chili sauce and any form of carbonated beverage the little duck fetus’s can be quite enjoyable.
Nobody should be allowed to leave the Philippines without a few gastronomic balut’s.
Locals also love it when you love balut!
-Migration Mark
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I’m one of the rare Filipinos who don’t really eat balut haha. But I do like the 1 day old
Hey Mark,
I would pass up eating balut for some lumpia or chicken adobo. You need some comfort food after the “will I survive after eating this kind of delicacies”. Love ya!
puuh! I think I wouldn’t be able to eat it. I tried grasshoppers once, which was easy if not boring… but no way for me to eat balut or 1 day old chicken (not enought meat on it)…
I missed out when I was here but will go for it next time. I hope I can overcome my gag reflex..
There is such a thing as “balut sa puti,” the difference is the chick is smaller and easier to eat. The yellow part is bigger too.
Haha, thanks for the comments guys.
@A Jung- I’ve had balut a couple times now and like durian I do grab some gum or a breath mint afterwards.
@Melvin- if you come to the Philippines I insist that you give it a try.
@Anil- It’s really not too bad, just like a regular hard boiled egg with a surprise at the end.
@Kat- We should eat some 1 day olds, or other Filipino delicacies together!
Want to hear a weird story? I was born in the Philippines and I can only eat the soup and the yolk part of balut. My husband, who’s also Filipino but born & raised in Canada, has more balls (pun intended?) eating those fetuses. I haven’t had a chix fetus in my life. I just can’t. Maybe one of these days I will challenge myself to taste the fetus and take a video of me eating it.
Hey, how do you like sisig?
My ILs love Barut and they even served that on one of their birthday. But as much as I want to say I can eat anything, I don’t think I can do the balut. My husband who is Filipino won’t even want to see it.
Wow! I’m glad you took my advice. I just had one balut tonight.
@Jen I’m expecting a video of you eating the fetus. Sisig is delicious, the high grease content really makes it slide down easily.
@Amy You should take the whole family for a Balut Fetus adventure.
@Glady Thank you for the great advice indeed. We will have a couple rounds when I come to Bacolod City.
@Melvin, you’ve got to try balut! Where’s your sense of adventure?
)) You MUST also try abuos (ant’s eggs) in Ilocos.
Ahhh sisig. The best beer mate ever!
[...] Feasting on Fetus: 5 Steps to Eating Balut [...]
[...] Feasting on Fetus [...]
[...] Feasting on Fetus: 5 Steps to Eating Balut [...]
[...] Manila I was able to feast on fetus (balut) and 1 day old chickens that KFC can’t compare [...]
I recommend a shot of tequila as step #1… it would have made my balut experience better!
Hayden, that is a great recommendation. It might also kill the gnarly germs that could potentially be in or on the balut!
[...] Photos by Migrationology [...]
Hi, This post is awesome and if it’s all right I’d like to use your photos for my blog. I’m glad you tried it and explained that it wasn’t as bad or horrifying as people make it out to be. It’s another cultures delicacy and they enjoy it. I mean it’s basically a smaller version of eating pekking duck or roasted chicken! Thanks again! And enjoy your travels!
Here’s my Balut post with Video: http://lakbai.com/2010/03/21/eating-balut-a-small-delight-after-a-pac-fight/
Hey Stacey,
No problem, and thank you for taking the time to check out my blog. Balut is really not bad at all! It is a lovely protein filled snack.
I have been to Philippines three time, have not tried it yet, where I was at the beach the embryo was mixed with some cream or milk or something I think, everbody was eating Balut like it was going out of style, my wife is Philipina and she loves it. I promise I will try it next trip, but i will close my eyes!
That. is. gross. I like chicken and I like eggs, but I don’t like to see what I’m eating looking like the real thing. Ack.
haha Brooke, You just need to not think about it too hard, dip it in the vinaigarette chili sauce and get it down!!!
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[...] and demand to eat Manchester United Burgers, Nasi Campur mystery buffets, Bangkok Boat Noodles, feast on fetus of Balut, and then get ultimately dirty in Seafood [...]
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