Describing what balut is can be a bit difficult because we want to make it appetizing. Balut is a traditional dish in many Asian countries and a staple of their street food, but it may seem odd to those who’ve never tried something similar. What is exactly balut? It’s a partially developed duck (or other bird) embryo that was incubated for two to three weeks before cooking.
The name of the dish translates to “wrap” in Tagalog and Malay, but it’s nothing like your regular wraps. It’s more similar to a boiled egg, but on another level. Balut is considered a delicacy and some even believe it has aphrodisiac-like properties.
Even though the idea of eating a fertilized egg may seem strange if you’re not used to it, we encourage you to try it if you get the chance. After all, there’s a reason it’s so popular and celebrated in countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand. If you get to one of these countries, it shouldn’t be hard to find balut in some street food carts.
