What Exactly Is A Mukbang And Why Do People Watch Them?

Mukbangs are a global internet sensation that originally started in South Korea. At the beginning of the trend, hosts live-streamed themselves eating large quantities of food while interacting with viewers. These days, a lot of mukbangs are pre-precorded. They have diehard fans who swear by them because of the social interaction that this virtual communal dining experience brings. They say it's a great look into foods from around the world, and that they can scratch the itch if they are craving a certain food that not's available at the moment. Some fans even enjoy the ASMR experience which can be had from the sights and sounds of watching someone eating a good meal.

However, critics of the practice say that mukbangs promote unhealthy eating habits and overconsumption. They worry that mukbangs can harm the body image of viewers and damage the health of the content creator — all while contributing to the massive amount of global food waste. Yet despite all this, mukbangs continue to thrive. They tap into our fascination with food and serve as a form of escapism for both creators and viewers. Millions of people tune into them, so whether you're one of those people or not, here's everything you need to know about mukbangs. 

This article includes discussion of eating disorders, mental and physical health, and body dysmorphia.

Because the whole point of a mukbang is to eat on camera, some critics believe that the amount of food consumed could encourage those watching to eat far too much. "[A drawback of a mukbang] could be that it promotes unhealthy eating habits or glorifies overeating," Michelle Beaupre, Ph.D., LCSW and Clinical Director of Villa Oasis told Daily Meal. "It's important to remember that anything on social media may not always depict reality." 

Most mukbangs show a large table filled with food to visually entice the viewer. However, viewers should be aware that, as Beaupre added, "many mukbang creators may not actually eat everything on their table in one sitting." Instead, they might just sample bits of food — leaving the rest just for show. They might also spit out portions of food after eating. You can never really know how the video might be edited if you aren't watching it live. "It's important for viewers to remember that they should listen to their own bodies and not try to mimic extreme eating challenges," Beaupre shared. In other words, eat when you're hungry and stop eating when you're full. If you're eating and watching a mukbang for company, remember that it's okay to finish your food before the creator is done.

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It's a tingling sensation triggered by specific noises or visuals, like whispering, scratching, and tapping — or, in this case, hearing someone bite into a crunchy pickle or take a gulp of cold lemonade. ASMR videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube aim to induce relaxation and euphoria in viewers. Many report feeling tingling and warmth, using ASMR for stress relief and as a sleep aid.

This is a big reason so many people enjoy mukbangs, as studies show that these tingling feelings can create positive emotions in viewers, leaving them feeling happy and relaxed. If viewers struggle with anxiety, depression, loneliness, or feeling overwhelmed, the simple act of watching a video of someone else enjoying a meal can do wonders for making them feel better. In a world where medical fixes for these problems might be out of reach and therapy is too expensive for many, being able to tune into something so calming is a lifesaver. Of course, as with any self-medication, there is potential for misuse. However, for those who watch for self-soothing purposes, the overall impact seems to be positive.

Although many channels are now popular because of their pre-recorded options on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, mukbangs started out as live interactive events. The nature of instant access to a creator can be great for a viewer feeling lonely, but things can potentially get rough in the comments. "Most Mukbang videos are live-streamed and have chat or comment functions to allow the viewer to interact with other people watching at the same time," Dr. Michelle Dees Board-Certified Psychiatrist at Luxury Psychiatry Medical Spa said. "This feature can give someone who feels completely alone in this world some virtual companionship during mealtimes." This is fantastic, but there is definitely a dark side, too.

Because most mukbang channels do not have moderators, "there is no filter on what viewers say during these livestreams or in the comments section afterward," Dees warned. "So, while it can be fun for both parties involved, the person doing the mukbang and the audience, there is always potential for negative feedback from viewers which may affect both sides negatively as well." It's great to be able to ask questions about recipes or stories the creator is telling, but the live stream also opens up the potential for cyberbullying, especially around eating disorders and body image issues.

When the videos first started, those streaming were focused on community and comfort. They weren't really making money from the practice and just ate and chatted with viewers. However, once creator funds began taking off, many Mukbang artists became mostly interested in building empires, sometimes at the expense of their health — or their viewer's body image. YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram all rely on algorithms to match viewers with content, so anyone wanting to make money as a creator on these platforms has to actively promote themselves to grow their channel. This need to promote leads to creators doing wild things like eating heaps of foods even to the point of sickness, or consuming controversial foods to gain attention and thus money.

"Many of these creators are more focused on gaining views and followers rather than promoting a healthy relationship with food," explained Mary Lawrence, LCSW and Clinical Director at Acera Health to Daily Meal. "As a result, there has been criticism of the authenticity and ethics behind mukbangs." The early days of streaming were quite different, before sensationalism became a part of mukbang culture. Now, there's a fine line between community fun and risky behaviour.

When you see a person eating large amounts of food, it's natural to wonder how they maintain thinness. While some mukbang creators might have a naturally high metabolism, others might be harming themselves to look a certain way. At the same time, if you're struggling with body image, it can be distressing to see your favorite creator overconsume food, while still maintaining what much of society would consider a thin and desirable body type. "How come they can eat that much and be skinny? I eat less than them and I'm still not losing weight!" you might think. Studies show that watching these videos can trigger feelings of not being enough, creating eating disorders and body image issues.

There's often a dark side behind what you see on screen. "Some content creators may go through extreme measures to prepare for a Mukbang, such as not eating all day or purging after filming," Sal Raichbach LCSW, PsyD, and Chief Clinical Officer at Haven Health Management explained. "This can be harmful to their physical and mental health, and it's important to acknowledge the potential impact on both the creator and viewers." However, viewers should remember that many mukbang creators do not eat all the food they appear to. Even if they say they are eating everything, they are often not telling the truth — they are simply taking one bite.