The 2013 Pistahan Balut-eating contest (Photo courtesy of Ramar Foods)
It’s been eaten by contestants on Fear Factor and Survivor. It’s been eaten by Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations. It’s been eaten by Andrew Zimmern on Bizarre Foods. It’s even been eaten by Zac Efron on his first trip to the Philippines. Yes, you guessed correctly, it’s the famously infamous Balut!
Typically sold as a popular street food in the Philippines, balut is a fertilized duck embryo 14 to 21 days old—hardboiled and eaten warm from the shell, ideally with a pinch of salt and vinegar … and followed by a swig of cold beer. For the initiated, balut is eaten whole—soft beak, feet and tiny bones included.
Balut (Photo by The Tasty Island)
If you’ve ever wanted to test your skills and speed at eating balut, or if you’ve ever wanted to finally taste balut for the very first time, come join us at the Culinary Pavilion to compete at our annual Balut-eating contest!
The only contest of its kind in San Francisco, the Balut-eating contest has grown in both participants and popularity with both Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike. Whether first-timers or lifelong balut-ers, come join us and compete for bragging rights at our annual Balut-eating contest happening Sunday, August 10, 2014, 4pm, at our Culinary Pavilion.
Five contestants moved on to the second round of the Balut-eating contest at Pistahan 2013. The first round had 18 contestants!
And the winner is …
