In today’s world, it is easy for videos to go viral or become a trending topic, especially on a large digital platform such as YouTube. Most trending video themes seem to have a domino effect as they are instantly multiplied in a short amount of time. Remember the recent 10,000-calorie challenge? Likewise, another new phenomenon has paved the way for YouTube stardom in the past few years, the mukbang.

Though it may seem like an imaginary word, a mukbang is an eating show on YouTube channels, and some YouTubers only post the eating show. Other YouTubers may post a mukbang on their channel to partake in a hip new trend. The shows can vary in length, with the range being anywhere from five minutes to an hour. This eating show consists of food of various countries, restaurants, tastes, etc. A mukbang can have homemade lasagna, Taco Bell, Costco pizza, Japanese food, etc. The videos usually contain large quantities of food to showcase various options. Mukbangers are open to trying new foods, and this coincides with an evolving world where it seems everyone is becoming more open to trying new things and experiencing different cuisines. It is also a result of the growing access to ethnically diverse cuisines that comes with increasing diversity across all parts of the world.

Mukbangs are meant to be an eating show and the important thing is that the mukbanger is shown on camera eating the food of their choice. Therefore, there is no special tactic to performing them. In general, the eating show can take place in a bedroom, restaurant, or sometimes in cars. The camera is placed directly in front of the mukbanger, and they simply eat their food in front of the camera. The YouTubers tend to evaluate their meals during the show, usually recommending the item or explaining reasons why the item may not be as decent. For those instantly craving a homemade item, a recipe may be provided at times.

You may think someone eating food on camera is dull, but eating the food is simply an excuse for the mukbangers to put themselves on YouTube and talk about their life. In fact, many mukbangs are instances where the channel hosts tell stories about their lives. These YouTubers are promoting themselves to a global audience, while even trying to sell merchandise. The food shown can also be a promotion of a restaurant and resemble product placement of new items at large restaurant chains. Thus, audiences may purchase some of these items if they trust the taste judgment of the mukbanger. One common trait of the eating show hosts is to eat a new item from a restaurant upon initial release.

Many mukbang channels are starting to become more recognized, with certain mukbangers having more than one million subscribers. Though some channels may not have reached the apex in terms of subscribers, viewership remains high for the trend. Some videos are even averaging a staggering 500K to a million views. There are tons of mukbang channels today, but some more popular channels are Veronica Wang, Meesh LA, Steph Pappas, Nikocado Avocado, Steven Sushi, Megan McCollum, and others. The listed mukbangers are very young, ranging in age from late teens to in their 20s. In fact, a mukbang can be associated as one of those millennial trends. There are also channels in ASMR versions as well.

A real connection grows between mukbangers and audiences as the subscribers multiply. The hosts provide more self-disclosure and bring in special guests to their show. These guests can be pets, siblings, parents, friends, significant others, and even counterparts. Mukbangers do follow the recommendations of their subscribers when it comes to trying new foods along with giving shoutouts. Most of the time, they are trying a new type of food during their eating shows.

Mukbangs and mukbangers are becoming a popular and tight-knit community on YouTube in 2019. Some mukbangers have more than one million subscribers, yet they build a tight connection with their audience by having a specific name for them. The eating shows provide a way for audiences to visualize and learn about foods they may have never heard of. And it’s so true that after seeing scrumptious food on video, it tastes so much better when that craving is fulfilled.

With the growing prevalence of mukbangs on YouTube, it’s easy to come across one due to popularity. Maybe your new favorite dish can come from the eating show of a mukbanger, who knows? With the mukbang being inclusive of captivating stories, exposure to diverse cuisines, and the opportunity to subscribe to a new YouTube community, it’s possible audiences (and you) may remain famished for more in the years to come.