The Philippines’ Balut : An Exotic Food Find

In the list of “what to eat” in the Philippines, whether in Lonely Planet or any online article, more often than not, balut is a part of that.

Pinoy’s Favorite: Balut

Balut is a common street food in the Philippines, though it is deemed as exotic by foreigners. Coming from a Filipino word balot, which means wrapped, it is a partially developed duck embryo that is boiled and is eaten straight out of its shell. Normally around 16-22 days old, these eggs are being sought after by a lot of locals, especially because they claim it as being an aphrodisiac.

How to eat it: (Balut and Penoy)

Eating a balut is simple. First, crack the end of the egg, pour a bit of salt over the amniotic fluid to taste, and then sip it. Clear the shell and stare at it for a while, before bringing it to the mouth.Twenty day old baluts are more likely to be crunchy, since they have started developing bones for legs and wings. Season the balut with spiced vinegar to add more spike.
True, the idea of eating a balut may be unnerving, even the sight of it is disturbing for some people. With this, there are still other more bearable balut-related alternative to choose: penoy.
Penoy, just like balut, is a hard-boiled duck egg. Yet penoy, unlike balut, has no fetus. In short, it looks just like an ordinary chicken egg with just a bigger yolk.
Eating penoy is relatively similar to that of balut, aside from having no crunch from the bones and no amniotic fluid to sip. Just season salt and pour over vinegar, and you’re good to go.
This eating experience may come off as “I’ve expected worse,” “okay,” or “never again.” Yet every place has its own quirks and ethnic delicacies, and it just happened that balut is one of Cebu’s many delicacies. With a very affordable price of Php 10 per egg, why not try it and see for yourself? If not, bet against your friend for a dare to eat it.

Try balut and who knows, you might say it’s not so bad after all!