Demystifying China’s century eggs

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Full of lead, soaked in horse urine, covered in mud for 1,000 years - these are some of the false myths that have made century eggs one of the most misunderstood ingredients in Chinese cuisine. Today, a huge range of dishes are made around the country using the black, gelatinous eggs. Post reporter Lisa Cam spoke with chefs in Hong Kong to understand the best ways to enjoy this polarising ingredient, and how some chefs are putting a new spin on century eggs with innovative dishes.
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[@wlsn77]

Congee with century eggs and pork is amazing.

[@Bunny11344]

Absolutely my favourite comfort food

[@dennischen2642]

1) It's an acquired taste 2) It's meant to complement with other flavors, for example it can be eaten raw dipped in black vinegar or famously prepared with pork and congee..

[@bomi9448]

I actually had that today in my congee! It's definitely an acquired taste and you either love it or don't if you can get past the look and smell. I know it's not for everyone but I appreciate those who are willing to give it a try 😆

[@thealandude9146]

I usually like it made spicy or with congee

[@Amikingyi]

i like eating the century eggs , its bouncy

[@karlsonchee2701]

Alot of foreigners have bad impression of century eggs because they eat the egg by itself. Which is not how you eat them because the taste is very strong (even we Asian don't eat like this). It's meant to be mixed with something else. One of the most popular combination is with porridge.

[@maverick1654]

Just like how foreigners eat vegemite on its own especially most content creators who only did it as a "eat 'disgusting' food because we're too idiot to figure out how to eat it in a proper way challenge". Smh

[@jules263]

Or bats 🦇

[@NeostormXLMAX]

@@maverick1654i remember a video by youtuber horses, that talks about the Swedish malted fish dish that is infamous for its bad small and taste, they talked about how you are supposed to open the can outside and let the smell out and eat it in a picnic outside with other milder stuff, i guess its the same here

[@flvffcinna]

@@jules263Hello, please don’t stereotype. Thank you. We rarely eat bats, even we are disgusted by it.

[@jules263]

@@flvffcinna “rarely” 😂

[@classiccasualgaming]

Many foreigners ate the whole egg in one go. No wonder they think it is disgusting. The smell would be unbearable. 😂

[@wym5311]

In porridge or with cucumber- the taste is incredible.

[@ciel1540]

I love the way the interview went, two languages at the same time for the global communiy

[@allensagalla1579]

Indeed, I miss eating century eggs. It's been a few years ago since I last tasted one. I also get it when some folks don't like century eggs, durian, balut, pickled herring, marmite/vegemite, etc. For me it's more like not being aware or familiar that there's such a food that folks in other countries enjoy 🙂

[@antoniorocha9438]

For the comparison, same goes to moldy italian cheese, different cultures different culnary taste.

[@bobbymoss6160]

Tastes great when crushed and put into porridge.

[@nybiggs]

That's how i learned how to eat it. Also with tofu

[@andrew_lawrence]

Same here in Malaysia ❤

[@tictactoe101]

🤮🤮🤮

[@jaker3151]

Century eggs are less daunting than balut eggs.

[@classiccasualgaming]

Yes, balut is like demon food.

[@Bambisgf77]

It’s hard to believe people actually consume balut eggs 😮😱

[@tonpianchorb]

I followed your clip well until it started to talk about yin yang energy. You lost me there.

[@shoepaeng]

Same. The quack doctor is even dressed like a real doctor 😅

[@AdeleiTeillana]

​@@NP-nx1ivJust because you think it's true, it does not have to be (or, using better English than you used, just because you think it's true doesn't mean that it is.) Seriously, what ridiculous"logic" to think that's an actual argument.

[@IsomerSoma]

​@@NP-nx1iv Just because you believe it doesn't mean it's true either. I am pretty sure this is wrong. Meat doesn't heat up the body. What helps with digestion are fibers. It has nothing to do with "energy".

[@Der_Kleine_Mann]

"Regular" Pickled Herring isn't bad at all. We also like it here in Germany. It's only the Surströmming one that most people would find disgusting.

[@reaganation6000]

I guess like durian, is a very subjective food where you must be exposed to since childhood to enjoy

[@kuroyuri04]

If that's the case, then for me it's more bearable than surstromming...

[@AllenAllanAlan]

Thanks for the demystification. I like the ones served at Yung Kee the most. It's an acquired taste, but I think it's much easier to 'accept' compared to natto, stinky tofu, vegemite and durian.

[@iTouchin]

I can't believe you added Durian to that list 😂 I'm about to get my baseball bat

[@AllenAllanAlan]

@@iTouchin I can eat all of those foods except for durian. That semi-mushy texture that feels like you're biting into a piece of cooked garlic, and then having the same taste and smell that just lingers in your mouth and in the air. Durian flavored moon cake is doable though, since we've bypassed that texture.

[@NeostormXLMAX]

I dont get it how does century eggs smell? I remember eating them for a while cant spell anything different

[@AllenAllanAlan]

@@NeostormXLMAX I don't think they smell bad, but I have heard people say they smell ammonia. I am sure they had the lowest quality, cheapest ones. I don't think anyone should be eating anything that smells like ammonia.

[@myeongwol]

Disgusting? What???? Century eggs are so delicious!!!

[@Komodo1312]

rotten egg 🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@lilpeanutish]

@@Komodo1312 by that logic yogurt and cheese are rotten milk. wine is rotten grapes. pickles are rotten cucumbers.

[@Komodo1312]

@@lilpeanutish eat rotten egg chinese 😅😅😂😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@orbitalpotato9940]

​@@Komodo1312you must eat lots of rotten food everyday since you're such an expert in that regard.

[@malakatan3235]

​@@Komodo1312You are rotten person😅

[@JackY-tz3rs]

It’s an acquired taste; and one of those food in the world that you would have to grow up with to appreciate. Just to name a few…Natto, Surströmming, Balut, Marmite, even Durian, and the list goes on….

[@Sjalabais]

The whole premise of getting hurt by the museum admission is a misunderstanding. It's an honour! Sweden's "surströmning" is famously disgusting, but it's also traditionally conserved food. Highlighting special traditions like this is great, even if they call it "disgusting".

[@ambition112]

0:00: 🥚Century eggs, a polarizing ingredient, are often considered disgusting but many people love them for their unique flavor. 2:14: Poor quality century eggs can have a strong ammonia odor. 3:55: 🥚The century egg is a unique and flavorful ingredient used in both savory and sweet dishes, with a mysterious origin story. 5:00: The century egg was accidentally discovered in a tea house during the Ming Dynasty, when the owner found eggs covered in ash and realized they were edible. 5:35: TCM practitioner Sam explains the benefits and properties of the century egg. 8:20: 🥚he chef wanted to create a century egg dish with a more consistent texture and less ammonia flavor. 8:26: They experimented with different century eggs from Hong Kong but found inconsistencies. 9:05: The century egg has been misunderstood and even considered disgusting by some. Recap by Tammy AI

[@lukasloh2509]

It is my favorite. I treated it like a salted egg when I put it in my dish. But of course the best is it with congee

[@Iranda_]

I am absolutely addicted to these eggs! Served with soy sauce and sprinkled with chopped chives taste divine!

[@inlustrismedia]

Have it sliced with chopped garlic, fresh scallions, dressing with vinegar and chili oil and it’s a great dish with rice

[@spacebarwasd9782]

Those who think century eggs are disgusting are the ones who love mold cheese... I mean blue cheese...

[@Bunny11344]

Blue cheese smells like feet. Century egg ftw

[@l156a21]

I hate blue cheese, but even those taste better than this garbage you have the nerve to call eggs. What an insult to eggs.

[@Bunny11344]

@@l156a21 you prob have the taste buds of a 5 year you garbage of a human go back to eating fifth

[@IsomerSoma]

That's illogic and wrong. Most people don't like such cheese either. There's Sicilian maggot cheese, which is even more disgusting than century eggs.

[@ickleronny]

This is great. I learned a lot from this video, even though I've been eating century eggs for years. Those chefs are amazing too. I've never seen those colours before.

[@user-hg1qi4bh6n]

I only eat century eggs when they’re in congee. I find it hard to eat them on their own because the taste of ammonia is too strong

[@F510C]

Acquired taste, the smell and texture is too much for most foreigners that didn't grow up with it.

[@IllyaTheKiller]

Just like durians

[@enduroman80]

Most people have tried poor quality century eggs which have a strong ammonia odour. Still an acquired taste in any case.

[@hamishfox]

I've only had century eggs a couple of times in my life and I did notice a very strong ammonia flavor, but this video makes me want to try them again. Also the pickled herring jab made me laugh.

[@vangvull999]

No wonder they can make a 3 years holiday for everyone

[@Swizzled_]

The fact that your so arrogant to post this really shows that your 5.

[@knock-knockwhosthere9933]

Short-minded. This egg is not a virus.

[@244hayrick]

This is no difference from the balut and other 'repulsive' foods around the world. They all have an acquired taste; it's expected not to appreciate them the first few tries.

[@KarazP]

You can find these eggs in pad kra pao version with crispy basil in thailand. And it was a perfectly combination to me 👁️🫦👁️

[@Indian_Rajput]

No snakes & scorpions in Menu atleast there should be one plate insects please.....😂😂😂

[@HoldMyCowsberg]

Yeah, just like that dinner scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Do Yeendians prefer monkey brains chilled ot straight up?

[@jjsamuelgunn1136]

yeah yeah yeah, we know nothing beats cowpie, your indian delicacy

[@Indian_Rajput]

@@jjsamuelgunn1136 Ur country is Hellhole

[@akhripasta2670]

​@@jjsamuelgunn1136😂No one except Christian Muzlem eat cow in India

[@jjsamuelgunn1136]

@@akhripasta2670 🤭 modiboys are so dum

[@user-kv7di2jl7d]

从未吃过世纪蛋的外国友人应该尝试像视频里蛋白呈现金色透明散布有松花纹路的，稍微粘点酱油就能呈现鲜咸软糯滑嫩的口感。去壳后可以用钓鱼线切开，横截面会比用刀切的更平整。

[@jimwhite1756]

Why is the host so concerned for western approval? Who cares if they don't like century eggs. Chinese people appear to like them and that's great.

[@leewn2319]

Century eggs is very much like blue cheese, an acquired taste that at first sight, smell & bite u like or hate it.

[@shanicestella2226]

Ahhh , Love it Especially with Tangy Spicy Chilli Paste and a lots of cilantro with it

[@ahmike89]

Just cooked congee with century egg and salted egg for lunch today 😋

[@ianjasperang3941]

Love that in coldcuts chinese dish

[@user-a1d2g34jm5p]

I love 皮蛋, especially in 粥.

[@orbitalpotato9940]

You can also marinate them in soy sauce with some sesame oil.

[@morriskurland1091]

It's def an acquired taste but also you don't bit into one like you wouldn't bite into a brick of blue cheese. It's usually with a sauce or Jok.

[@cl4626]

Yes, Everyone must have the egg in the right way.

[@queenbeemoon10]

where this resturant located? Would love to go one day.

[@yct6500]

Oh, medium raw beef streak can be disgusting... and fermented cheese too.

[@yinghuynh2280]

I love them

[@bowei4237]

Century egg and tofu salad is one of my absolute favorite cold dishes.

[@foreverforty1]

...If you ask, I would say... ...THE FOOD OF THE CENTURY.... ....a culinary genius and delight.

[@orbitalpotato9940]

Marinate it in soy sauce and sesame oil. Serve with rice

[@AZ-ts1qy]

Lost me when the benefit mentioned was the "yin" energy.

[@Steven-xf8mz]

plain + soy sauce = a great side dish for morning breakfast.

[@lizasealongo]

I'm not chinese but ohhhh i love Chinese food, their culture and yeeees the century egg. I can eat 10 pcs of it without porridge or anything.

[@iAxianguy]

❤Century egg:🙂

[@silentstormstudio4782]

No we very well understand chinese food

[@Hkchinese888]

i know every element in periodic table

[@HoldMyCowsberg]

Yes, please educate us on Yeendian cow manure cuisines.

[@Hkchinese888]

@@HoldMyCowsberg 我最lun 喜歡食皮蛋久肉粥。 🐶🐶

[@Hkchinese888]

@@HoldMyCowsberg 皮蛋久肉粥 is a famous cuisine in Yulin, dont miss. 🤣

[@silentstormstudio4782]

@@HoldMyCowsberg lol best advice , dont let the cow manure near your food , i ev heard you eat that too

[@BENCHPRESS_247]

Eggs rotting for 100s of years

[@caiinver1638]

Hakarl - Icelandic rotten shark is also described as this. Why doesn’t it get the same reaction? Double standards from caucasians...

[@chriseureka]

One of my favorite foods. I can eat it by itself.. I love the earthy flavor of it.

[@Lauren.E.O]

I’d be interested in trying it

[@habibainunsyifaf6463]

I like the taste but... my stomach? Not so much.

[@TheNylter]

Sorry, but the yolk looks like sloppy rotten algae blobs. The visuals make me go ugh, nope. I grew up near freshwater lakes that had algae blobs, and that's what I smell from my memories. It's a me thing.

[@KinLee919]

I noticed that, just like in this video they talk about tong sum( or tang xing in mandarin, literally ' running heart'), this kind of 'multen lava' slimy gooey texture are actually very popular in China and often accociate with 'high end' or 'luxury', but other people especially westerners seems very dislike this kind of texcure.

[@Normalaatsra]

If century egg is considered as disgusting food, I am happy then that I finally like something from among that list.

[@Hypastpist]

huh i always thought century egg as salted egg lite since it was a bit salty where i get them maybe it's because i love them with century egg and seaweed combo

[@Bay510Area]

Delicious.

[@patrickhandali]

Hahahaha, that ending though.

[@jackzhou4813]

Preserved eggs are my favorite because they are cooling and antipyretic

[@teachershimaschannel4163]

It's the texture that doesn't do it for me.

[@gulgadiel]

Century eggs made with quail eggs are even more delicious than those made with duck eggs.

[@jdmagicmusic]

i also love durian and century egg... and the Swedish have some horrible food themselves (the rotten fish, i can't remember the name, it's worse than horrid!)

[@Der_Kleine_Mann]

Its called Surströmming. And I guess that's probably why they have a museum dedicated to such food.

[@yct6500]

Fermented cheese can taste terrible too

[@iraqi_human937]

That's very unhealthy

[@rogeryang18]

Century egg with tiger skin pepper is my favorite.

[@hyeung1]

Of all countries, Sweden, where surstromming comes from, considers century eggs disgusting?

[@Der_Kleine_Mann]

Nah. It's just that they have a museum dedicated to foods that are considered disgusting by many people.

[@TheKaMeLRo]

add Century egg in Thai stir fried Pad Krapow is the best.

[@aspiromy]

Yeah it’s acquired taste varies between cultures, I gladly opt for century eggs or Malaysia king of fruit Durian or Japan Natto beans over Germany Sauerkraut.

[@jordanlok365]

I don't eat it as is , because it is just too strong even for a Chinese person like me. I eat the congee tho , I am even craving it now.

[@user-is2mv7pf6n]

Yes! That look disgusting. Imagine the smell of rotten egg.🤮

[@Gsjskskud]

I am addicted to century eggs

[@tjinc002]

Yeah no thanks

[@AdrianCHOY]

It taste great!

[@kqpro5649]

I love Pidan in my Jok, love it!

[@user-jr2fh9cq6n]

A drip of soy sauce and sesame oil and there you are. To go with a fresh beer.

[@matthewona]

I find olives (olive bar, raw olives, pickled olives although not olive oil) vommitingly disgusting even though millions of people love it because I didn't grown up eating it in the Philippines as part of the local cuisine

[@kikimbrown]

I cannot eat them by itself, only when mixed with congee.

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

I got lost on the nourishing the Yin energy in body

[@ahuman32478]

So, this week on Basics with Babish, we're going to be creating the Century Egg from Smiling Friends!

[@kuroyuri04]

I wonder, if this is a salty duck eggs but in another level of saltines?? (And ofc another level of ammonia smell)

[@kareny5438]

It's not salty at all. There's an umami savory taste. Rice porridge is incomplete without a century egg.

[@tictactoe101]

@@kareny5438 🤮 🤮

[@Youcanttouchmyhandle]

For the love of ducks 😂

[@ThisFinalHandle]

I am not convinced.

[@PinayPay_Singapore]

Best in porridge ..im not chinese but i enjoyed eating it

[@sczullkjengker8380]

I ate it first time yesterday I like it

[@7591warthog]

…… a true, delightful delicacy, please trust me!!!!😊

[@weimondo]

it's disgusting

[@stephaniechik6843]

Best to pair with red tannic wine!

[@monkeystrive7501]

I’m going to have some tmr with my congee. Yummy.

[@vexusdesu6272]

Durian isn't in the top 10 worst for according to them??

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

western : do you like durian? I don't understand why eastern : do you dislike durian? I don't understand why

[@VicToria-zx9kq]

Durian is creamy and sweet, the smell bring the flavor to the next level. The smell is making people salivating. If you can't enjoy durian you really missing something in your life. I mean come on, it just fruit! Why is it perceived as disguting, it is fresh! Not something that fermented or keeping for a long time! It more easy to perceive fermented or rotten thing is disguting then something that fresh!

[@johnc3351]

Pickled herrings is disgusting

[@gerardy7500]

Love Century egg with Congee. It is a match made in heaven 😁

[@tkjho]

The producers obviously did not know much about the subject, @2:03 used salted duck egg as century egg.

[@dancampana6757]

don't understand him....

[@ezioauditore5616]

Wth, westerners eat them raw

[@HoangTran-wu6se]

great when eat with fish sauce and pepper.

[@aglis_]

They taste the best in congee!

[@richardong6766]

I can eat it whole without adding anything. Yummy