Balut: would you eat Duck Embryo?

I’ve eaten guinea pigs in Peru, scorpions on a stick in Thailand, and just about every organ you can name in mainland China. I generally believe that if the locals eat it, I should at least give it a shot. But when I arrived in the Philippines and encountered balut—the infamous fertilized duck embryo—I finally hit my limit.

Is balut a misunderstood local delicacy or a step too far even for the most seasoned travelers? In this post, I’m breaking down exactly what this ‘egg with wings’ is, why it’s a cultural staple, and why, despite my ‘try anything once’ travel philosophy, I simply couldn’t bring myself to take a bite.

People eat duck embryo called Balut in the Philippines, and it might be the only food I refused during my entire trip through Asia.

People really eat Duck Embryo??

When I’m traveling, I always want to sample the local food, and I’ll try almost everything. What does that include? I’ve tried guinea pigs (cuy!) in Peru. I’ve eaten grasshoppers and scorpions in Thailand. I ate just about every organ or body party of a cow, duck, or chicken that you can think of in mainland China, including duck intestine, pig brain. Where do I draw the line?  The Philippines’ Balut egg – duck fetus. Duck embryo is not for me. I just couldn’t bring myself to try eating a Fetal Duck Egg.

Adventurous foods: Balut

When I got to the Philippines, people were eating Balut as a snack on the streets, in the same way you can pick up hot dogs on the streets of NYC, except in this case it’s duck fetus. You’ll often recognize the wings, bones, beak, and more. Balut is a duck embryo and nearly a baby duck. After 17 days (in the Philippines – other southeast Asian countries do it differently), it’s then boiled. It’s often seasoned with a mixture salt, garlic and sometimes vinegar.

Is Balut an outrageous Asian delicacy, or simply classic Pinoy goodness?   I’d call it the most disturbing thing I have ever tried to eat in my life, but let me know what you think in the comments below.

I already posted about 7 Philippine cuisines – foods I ate and liked in the Philippines, but Balut eggs are in another category entirely.

If you’d like to see it in action, I’ve curated some of the best video clips of eating Balut below.

For example, here’s a child introducing Balut during his first time tasting it:

Food Network’s Anthony Bourdain eats duck egg on air – Balut:

How to Overcome the Mental Hurdle of Eating Balut

For many travelers, the biggest challenge isn’t the flavor—it’s the visualization. If you want to try it without the “gross-out” factor, locals suggest these three tips:

• Don’t look directly at it: Many people choose to eat it in a dimly lit area or simply focus on the broth first.
• Focus on the broth: The salty, rich juice inside the shell is what locals love most. Sip that first; it’s the best “gateway” to the rest of the egg.
• Use the condiments: Don’t skip the vinegar and salt. The acidity cuts through the richness of the yolk and helps mask the more “earthy” notes of the embryo.

What is Balut?

Balut egg is a fertilized duck embryo – the embryo is allowed to grow and mature for about 17 days until it is quite clearly a baby duck. That’s right. A baby duck, with all its baby duck parts stuffed into a shell with the yolk and egg white, now crisscrossed with blood vessels and feather-like growths. Yes, sometimes it is even has the beginnings of feathers. At this point Balut egg is soft-boiled and eaten whole.

Eating Balut for the first time:

How to eat Balut:

Videos: beak, feathers, and all (this is not me!)

Balut is one of only three foods that I wouldn’t try in Asia. The other two are Durian, and Stinky Tofu. Have you tried any of them?

Frequently Asked Questions About Balut

What exactly is balut? Balut is a fertilized duck egg that has been incubated for a specific period—usually around 17 to 21 days. It is then boiled and eaten directly from the shell. Unlike a standard hard-boiled egg, it contains the developing embryo, which includes a yolk, white, and early physical features like a beak and feathers.

What does balut taste like? Those who enjoy it often describe the flavor as rich and savory. The broth inside the egg is considered the best part by locals, often compared to a salty, concentrated chicken soup. The texture of the embryo itself is soft and tender.

Why is balut so controversial? The controversy stems from the maturity of the embryo. Because the egg is incubated long enough for physical features (like bones, a beak, and soft feathers) to form, many Western travelers find the visual aspect jarring and difficult to overcome.

How is balut traditionally served? It is most often found as street food in the Philippines. It is typically served hot and seasoned with a pinch of salt, a splash of vinegar, and sometimes a bit of chili or garlic to balance the richness of the yolk.

Is balut eaten anywhere else? Yes, while it is iconic in the Philippines, similar versions of fertilized duck eggs are consumed in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam (trứng vịt lộn) and Cambodia (pong tea kon), though the incubation periods and serving styles may vary.

Balut didn’t quite make my top 7 Philippine cuisines (favorite foods and meals from the Philippines). What did?  Halo-Halo, Pork Adobo, Kare-Kare, and more.