Mukbang, a Korean word combining “mukda” (to eat) and “bangsong” (broadcast), is a digital phenomenon where creators film themselves consuming large quantities of food while interacting with an online audience. Originating in South Korea in the early 2010s, it soon took over global platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. People enjoy mukbang because of the relaxing sounds, the way the food looks and sounds while being eaten, and the unusual fun of watching someone eat a huge amount of food
In many videos, creators consume 10,000-calorie meals in one sitting, from stacked burgers and cheesy noodles to platters of sushi or spicy fried chicken. The more outrageous the food, the better the views.
The Stark Contrast: A World in Hunger
While mukbang enjoys its limelight, the world is grappling with the most severe food crisis in decades. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP , over 713 million people faced chronic hunger in 2023. Armed conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, climate change, inflation, and disrupted supply chains have pushed millions into food insecurity.
Countries like Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan are witnessing acute food shortages, while inflation has doubled food prices in parts of Africa and Asia.
Now imagine, as families in Madagascar survive on rice water, creators across the world are being paid to overeat, slurp, and waste food on camera.
Turning Food Binge into Business
The mukbang economy is booming. Top creators like Nikocado Avocado, Stephanie Soo, and Zach Choi earn thousands of dollars per video through YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise. The more extreme the content, the greater the income. But this capitalistic model thrives on waste, overconsumption, and a disconnection from reality.
In many videos, large portions go untouched or are thrown away off-camera. This raises moral questions, can we call it “entertainment” when children in war-torn regions beg for a single loaf of bread?
Mukbang and the Psychology of Watching People Eat
Mukbang isn’t just about food, it’s about loneliness, escapism, and sensory pleasure. Studies suggest people watch these videos for emotional comfort. It simulates the feeling of “eating with someone,” especially in isolated or urban lives. For some, it’s even therapeutic.
However, critics argue that it normalizes binge eating and glamorizes unhealthy lifestyles. Many creators have reported developing eating disorders due to the pressure to perform for clicks.
The food on your screen is more than just entertainment, it’s a symbol of privilege in an unequal world. While urban creators binge for fame, rural farmers in drought-hit regions die from food insecurity.
Think about it, in an age where AI is predicting famines and governments are begging for aid, social media platforms reward overconsumption.
What Can Be Done?
Mukbang, like any trend, doesn’t exist in isolation. It reflects society’s obsessions and gaps. Here’s how platforms and creators can be more responsible:
- Promote ethical mukbang, highlight smaller, cultural meals, reduce wastage
- Encourage creators to donate food or earnings
- Label videos with disclaimers around waste and health
- Include social messages about hunger or sustainability
YouTubers like Hamzy and Tzuyang have recently shifted to more moderated formats and are actively involved in community donations, a step in the right direction.
China has banned Mukbang content due to anti-food waste law enacted in 2021.
What Mukbang Really Tells Us?
Mukbang isn’t the villain, but it is a symptom of a world where excess and scarcity co-exist. It reminds us that digital consumption doesn’t come free of consequences. In an age where the screen divides the feast from the famine, it’s time we ask , are we watching too much, while doing too little?
As a viewer, you don’t have to stop watching mukbang, but start questioning the story behind the plate. Because behind every frame of food, there might be a shadow of someone still hungry.
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