A scene worthy of a nature documentary left a woman from Qingdao, China, speechless. After just two days away, she returned home to find a completely unexpected sight: 70 live chicks chirping among boxes, bags, and the floor. No incubator, no human intervention: everything had happened naturally. But the real surprise was that the chicks had hatched from simple eggs purchased at the market. These weren't ordinary cooking eggs, however, but a special type of fertilized egg called huó zhūzi, a food specialty common in some parts of Asia.
The episode immediately attracted the attention of local media and social media, sparking amazement, tenderness, and even a certain amount of concern. But what exactly are these mysterious "alive eggs," and how is it possible that, in the middle of July, an apartment can transform into a natural incubator?
What Are Huó Zhūzi, The Divisive Food Tradition?
Huó zhūzi eggs (活珠子), literally "living pearls," are fertilized chicken eggs that are incubated for approximately 11–13 days before being released for sale. Unlike ordinary eggs, which do not contain a developing embryo, these eggs contain a partially formed chick. They are considered a specialty food in some regions of China and Southeast Asia, where they are eaten boiled or steamed, sometimes served with spices, vinegar, or ginger.
Similar in logic to the Filipino balut — which requires even more advanced incubation, often up to 18 days— huó zhūzi are prized for their gelatinous texture and "richer" flavor than a regular egg. They are said to be highly nutritious and are sometimes eaten as a "restorative" in some popular diets.
These eggs are particularly popular in some provinces in southern and eastern China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Shandong, where they are sold in traditional markets as a nutritious snack or street food. Similar specialties are also found in the Philippines, as mentioned above, Vietnam (hột vịt lộn), and Cambodia, where they are part of everyday cuisine.
Naturally, this is a product that has attracted considerable criticism, especially in recent years: many animal rights activists and even a segment of the public find the consumption of eggs with live embryos questionable or even cruel, accusing this tradition of disrespecting animal life. In many Western countries, the consumption or sale of eggs fertilized with live embryos —such as huó zhūzi—is prohibited or severely restricted. For example, in North America, balut (fertilized duck egg) is not covered by egg legislation, and in Canada it is labeled a "potentially hazardous" food. In some Muslim-majority countries and the Jewish community, the consumption of eggs containing embryos is prohibited for religious reasons. Furthermore, many Western social media sites automatically block images or videos depicting the consumption of live embryos, which are considered sensitive content.
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