I used to genuinely enjoy watching mukbangs (a type of video ((originating in South Korea)) where someone eats food—often large amounts—while talking to or entertaining viewers.)
There was something oddly comforting about them a few years ago. I’d watch someone quietly eat a warm bowl of noodles late at night while talking about their day, and somehow it felt calming. It wasn’t really about the amount of food back then. It felt more personal, almost like having company while eating alone.
Now, a lot of mukbang content feels completely different.
Some videos barely even focus on the food anymore. It’s become about shock value, bigger portions, louder chewing sounds, extra cheese, extreme spice, and tables filled with enough food for six people. Sometimes I scroll past and genuinely wonder who is actually enjoying this.
I know part of it comes from internet culture. Bigger reactions get more views. More food means more attention. But at some point, it started feeling less like people enjoying meals and more like overconsumption turned into entertainment.
And honestly, sometimes it just looks exhausting.
There are mukbangs where creators order massive spreads only to barely finish half of it. Others intentionally make things messier because it performs better online. Sauce everywhere, exaggerated bites, overly dramatic reactions. I know it’s content, but occasionally it crosses into wastefulness that feels difficult to ignore.
The strange thing is, I still think there are good mukbang creators out there.
The ones I still enjoy are usually quieter and simpler. Someone trying local food while talking casually. Small creators, and bigger ones filming a realistic dinner after work. Videos where the meal still feels human instead of staged for algorithms.
Those are the ones that remind me why mukbangs became popular in the first place.
I think people forget that food content can feel comforting without becoming excessive. A simple meal can still be interesting if the person behind the camera feels genuine enough.
Not everything needs to become bigger to stay entertaining.
I also think mukbang culture reflects something larger happening online. Social media rewards extremes now. Bigger portions, louder personalities, stronger reactions. Subtle content struggles to survive in comparison.
But personally, I miss the quieter side of food videos.
The kind that made eating feel warm and familiar instead of performative.
Maybe that’s why older mukbang videos still feel nostalgic to me. They weren’t trying so hard to go viral. They just felt like people sharing a meal.
And honestly, sometimes that was enough.
