Street Food Manila Edition: Eating Balut

I’m going to warn you, this video may not be for the faint-hearted. Especially those of you who love animals.

Have you ever seen that episode of Fear Factor where the contestants have to eat an almost developed duck egg? Well, in the Philippines, it’s called Balut, and it’s common street food, even sold in 7-Eleven for a mere 15 Philippine pesos ($0.34)!

The thought of eating an almost formed chick will put many people off, but it excited me because this was something I knew I HAD to try. One of my principles of being a foodie is having an open mind and the courage to try things. I was so determined to try balut that I went almost immediately after I checked in to my hostel.

We had some difficulty finding it at first, but after visiting multiple street vendors, we finally found a man pushing his bicycle cart filled with roasted peanuts and boiled baby ducklings.

So, what did I think? You can probably tell from my expression in the video… Honestly, I had some hesitation when I was peeling the shell open, but it’s one of those experiences where you just have to close your eyes… and slurp it. It wouldn’t even come out at first, so I had to loosen the embryo with my finger, heh.

I don’t know if I would willingly eat another one because I can’t get over the crunchiness of the beak? Maybe it’s cartilage or bone? Don’t think I really want to know, haha… But hey, now I can say I’ve tried it, survived, and even enjoyed the yolky part. Food is part of the cultural experience, and I definitely think I checked the “Explore Filipino Culture” box after that mouthful.

King Crab in Juneau, Alaska

Crab Shack Combo (King Crab Leg, Crab Cakes and Crab Bisque) @ Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau, AK

A friend took me on a day trip to Juneau, and it is such a beautiful place. Our first stop was Tracy’s King Crab Shack, and for $38 (tax included!), I had fresh king crab legs the size of my head and the best crab bisque I’ve ever had in my life! Not to mention 4 crab cakes on the side too… what a deal!

More to come on my trip to Alaska!

Chicken and Rice, Thai Style

Khao Man Gai (Chicken and Rice) @ Nong’s Khao Man Gai in Portland, OR

Nong’s food cart is an American Dream story. She moved to the States from Thailand and saved up to open her food cart, and it has been a huge success. She only has one thing on her menu - khao man gai, which is the Thai version of Hainan Chicken and Rice. I totally did not expect this in Portland, let alone at a food cart, and it was super delicious!

Visiting the Redwoods with Patree

If you ever happen to stop by or pass through Crescent City, you have to meet Patree. She is the sweet, hip, and smart grandmother you wish you had. She is also super knowledgeable about the Redwoods (she goes every day!). So if you’re there to visit, you need to call her.

Jonathan and I stumbled across Patree’s place on AirBnB when we were planning our road trip. It was by far one of the best decisions we made. She made us fresh homemade pizza and quick breads, took us on a personal tour of the Jedediah Smith State Park, and treated us like family.

The white sourdough pizza was so good that we took the leftovers for the road. It was a combination of pineapple, banana peppers, and white cheddar, now my new favorite combo of pizza toppings. The sourdough crust was made from scratch with a sourdough starter over a hundred years old! It was so cool. She was SO cool.

But her house is what stands out the most. At the dead end of a dull street, the road opens up to an expanse of grass and hydrangeas silhouetting the bright orange and red paint of her house. Patree is obsessed with lips, and the house is decorated with lips all over - my favorite being a cookie cutter in her kitchen (you’ll just have to look for it when you’re there).

San Francsico's Chinatown -- My Cultural Escape

The last time I was in San Francisco was the summer before my senior year in high school. That was 5 years ago. And Chinatown is still exactly how I remembered it. The same sights (BBQ ducks hanging in the window), the same smells (buns fresh out of the steamer), and the same sounds (not a word of English).

What fascinates me about cities is how ethnic enclaves are able to preserve the authenticity of its culture and environment, literally replicating the sights, smells, and sounds of the motherland. As I walked through Chinatown, I felt like I was on the other side of the world in Guangzhou and a foreigner again trying hard not to stand out with my large camera.

I think many Asian Americans (and other ethnic Americans) struggle with their identity. At least I know I do. There are still places in America where people do not identify me as “American” and when I visit China, I am clearly spotted as a foreigner. That’s why these cultural enclaves are so important to me. I can be in my home country and travel a few miles (or a few cities if I’m not in a metro area) to be completely immersed in the culture I grew up in, to be immersed in something familiar.

Being in Chinatown made me happy. I realized how blessed I am to be a citizen of a great country that allows me to embrace my background and my heritage. I’m glad these cultural pockets exist and thrive because they are a testament to our diverse nation… and they serve as reliable places for good dim sum.

Have you ever struggled with your identity? What do you do to find comfort or familiarity?