Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Watch People Eat Duck Embryos On The LES Today
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 3, 2013
Modified Aug 3, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
egg
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 3, 2013
Modified Aug 3, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It's that time of the year again—time to ogle adventurous eaters as they scarf down duck embryo, that is! East Village Filipino restaurants Maharlika and Jeepney are teaming up to host this year's second annual balut-eating contest, and it's all going down at the Hester Street Fair today starting at 6 p.m.
A balut is a Filipino street-food delicacy, and as per Wikipedia, is a "developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell." YUM. Last year, winner Wayne "Wayney Wonder" Algeni was able to stomach 18 of these bad boys—"It tastes like an egg," he said—and today one lucky soul will try to top his record in a five-minute time period. According the organizers, 12 people are signed up to compete today, and they've prepared 300 balut just for the occasion.
Even if you don't have an esophagus of steel, organizers promise this is a spectacle not to be missed; apparently, balut-eating contests aren't even popular in the Philippines. Can't imagine why not! The contest will be held on Essex Street as part of the Hester Street Fair, and there will be an authentic cebuano pig roast, Jeepney and Maharlika's signature Filipino potato salad and other goodies for grabs even if unborn ducks aren't your thing.
Tagged
balut
essex street
hester street fair
jeepney
maharlika
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .