Balut: Stuff of Nightmares or Another Misunderstood Filipino Street Food?

Mention the name balut, and you’re sure to come across a wide spectrum of reactions ranging from sheer horror to intrigue and delight. Since it became one of the challenges in the reality TV show Fear Factor, Filipinos (myself included) get quite a kick at seeing the faces of their foreign friends express the embodiment of sheer fright that this popular street food in the Philippines served to them. In fact, eating balut has become somewhat a rite of passage in the Philippines. Travelers visiting the country cannot really say that they’ve visited the Philippines without eating balut. In the words of Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmerman: “If you haven’t eaten fertilized duck embryos, then you haven’t lived.”

What is Balut anyway?

Balut is one of the most popular street foods in the Philippines. It’s an egg with an 18-day duck embryo inside that is steamed. Its often served on the streets by men and women who peddle this down the streets or in makeshift stalls.

Balut anyone?

The name balut comes from the Filipino word which literally means “wrapped,” referring to the duck embryo which is still wrapped inside the egg white. The best balut can be found and bought in Pateros, one of the smallest municipality in Metro Manila which is named after pato–the duck that lays the eggs that become balut.

Benefits of Eating Balut

In the Philippines, balut is eaten by the locals because of its numerous benefits. It has been found to be a good source of protein with one egg containing as much as 14 grams of protein. It’s also believed to help strengthen your bones. And of course, let’s not forget the fact that Filipinos believe that balut to be an aphrodisiac, making this very popular among the men. Personally, I consider the last part to be something that they would say to encourage people to try it out. After all, isn’t that how they would usually describe other kinds of bizarre foods.

Balut is Not 100% Pinoy

Although balut is often equated with the Philippines, this is not the only country where you can find it. In fact, balut didn’t even originate in the Philippines. It was brought to the Philippines by Chinese traders back in the 1800s. It became an instant hit with the Filipinos since balut is cheap to get, easy to prepare and packed with nutrients.

Today, balut considered to be a delicacy in other countries in Asia. In one episode of A Cook’s Tour, host Anthony Bourdain dines on hot vit lon for breakfast in Vietnam. As I watched him take a bite, I discovered that it is actually a version of the Filipino balut. There are two slight differences. First, Filipinos eat balut during the evening, not for breakfast like they do in Vietnam. Second, the Vietnam version is fertilized between 11 and 14 days while the balut is allowed to fertilize for 18 days.

Balut: Nightmarish or Just Misunderstood?

No doubt that balut is one of those kinds of food which you’d consider to be an acquired taste. And just like many of these bizarre foods, their reputation is enough to cause anyone to back away and tremble in fear. But take them away from their familiar look and present them in a totally different way, and you’ll be amazed to find these very same people would be more than willing to give them a try. That’s quite often the case I’ve observed with a lot of people who’d feast on dishes like Balut ala Pobre (a dish with the yolk of the balut is sauteed with olive oil and garlic and served on a sizzling plate) yet wouldn’t consider eating balut at its purest form: straight off the shell.

Balut may be considered to be a definite bizarre Filipino delicacy. But for me, it’s just one little egg that is an important part of the Filipino culinary tradition, and sorely misunderstood.

Have you tried eating balut? What is your view about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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