Tongzi Dan (Virgin Boy Eggs)
Eggs boiled in schoolboys' urine
Think of it as: Like a tea egg, except it is very much not tea
Some things are better left unasked.
What does it taste like?
Reportedly salty with a strong, unmistakable aroma.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFirm, like a long-boiled egg
What is it?
A springtime specialty of Dongyang in Zhejiang, China: eggs boiled in the urine of young boys, then cracked and simmered all day. Locals believe they're good for your health.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Sold from street stalls in spring and eaten on the spot as a health tonic.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
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✈ Check cheap flights Best timeApril to May and September to October, when it's neither too hot nor too cold, are best. Also tryPeking duckMapo tofuXiaolongbao More from here🖤 Century egg🍜 Luosifen🐟 Chou Guiyu (Stinky Mandarin Fish)🦐 Drunken Shrimp🐰 Ma La Tu Tou (Spicy Rabbit Head)
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MusicPeking opera Traditional theater of song, dialogue and acrobatic fighting
Listen on YouTube SportTable tennis (basketball is hugely popular too)
Ma Long (table tennis; six Olympic gold medals) World HeritageThe Great Wall and more National animalGiant panda (unofficial) FestivalSpring Festival (January-February, Lunar New Year)
Ingredients
- 10 eggs
- Urine from boys under about 10, collected at local schools
- Water
How to make it (one way)
- In spring, urine is collected from primary school boys.
- The eggs are boiled in it.
- The shells are cracked and the eggs simmered in urine all day.
- More urine is added as it reduces.
- They're sold at stalls and eaten as is.
⚠️ Doctors have raised hygiene concerns. Do not try this.