Balut (Philippines)

Balut, a fertilized duck egg with a 16-to-18-day-old embryo, delivers 14 grams of protein per serving and is prized in the Philippines as a warm street snack and reputed aphrodisiac. Eaten from the shell with a pinch of salt, the developing bones and feathers provide a distinct crunch. This item outperforms #3 Casu Marzu in caloric density — 188 calories per egg versus the cheese's 150 per ounce — while offering a milder initial taste. Its 30% yolk content makes it richer than the typical hard-boiled egg, though the visual shock of a formed duckling sets it apart as a cultural staple consumed by an estimated 5 million Filipinos annually.