And then i went to Manila, got drunk, and ate balut…

Eating balut - fertilized duck embryo - in Manila, Philippines.

Balut is a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It’s a popular street food in Manila and The Philippines. And it’s…well…kind of disgusting.

My friend Jackie, who I was staying with in Manila, decided I just had to try eating balut while I was there. So, one night, when we were out, and already a little drunk, we stopped at a roadside stand, bought some, and took them to a nearby restaurant so I could grab a Coke to wash it down with.

The balut in Manila cost 14 Philippine Pesos, or about 30 cents, which is probably about 14 pesos (or 30 cents) too much.

I mean, it was an experience eating balut duck embryo. One I’m glad I had but one I never, ever, have to repeat.

Jackie showed me how to eat balut, starting with drinking the liquid from the shell. The liquid that tasted like hot raw egg juice. We then cracked the egg open revealing contents that combined a veiny hardboiled egg with a bird fetus. I choked down the egg, reluctantly, but it was hard to get down. But the little chick? That was too much. I took a little nibble, but left the rest.

And then chugged a can Coke.

Eating Balut in Manila, Philippines:

Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.

Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.

Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.

Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.

I also ate a tamilok worm in the Philippines because of course I had to eat all the gross things. And I ate some regular food in the Philippines too…because of course I had to eat all the good things too.

And then i went to Manila, got drunk, and ate balut… Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.

Bucket List Idea: Eat Balut Eating balut – fertilized duck embryo – in Manila, Philippines.