Is it haram to watch mukbang videos?
No, watching mukbang videos isn't haram in itself. Watching someone eat is a neutral pastime. It becomes a problem when the video shows haram food or drink, celebrates huge waste, involves immodest content, or quietly eats up hours of your day.
What is a mukbang?
A mukbang is a video where a host eats a large amount of food on camera while chatting to viewers. The trend started in South Korea and is now huge on YouTube and TikTok. Some people watch for comfort, some for company while they eat alone, and some just to see what a new dish looks like.
Why it isn't haram by default
In Islam, everyday things are allowed unless there's a clear reason to forbid them. Seeing someone enjoy a bowl of noodles is no different from watching a cooking show. If the food is halal, the host is decently dressed and the talk is clean, there's nothing sinful about pressing play.
Where mukbang can go wrong
Islam warns strongly against excess. Allah says:
The Prophet ﷺ said that the son of Adam fills no vessel worse than his stomach, and that a third for food, a third for drink and a third for air is enough (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2380). He also taught that food for two is enough for three (Sahih al-Bukhari 5392). So a few cautions apply:
- Haram food and drink: many hosts eat pork, drink alcohol, or do "drunk mukbangs". Skip those channels.
- Waste and extreme binging: eating ten portions for views, or throwing food away after filming, goes against the Islamic respect for food.
- Health: if watching triggers your own binge eating or unhealthy habits, it's harming you. See What does Islam say about eating disorders?
- Time: hours of autoplay every night is time you won't get back. See Is endless scrolling a waste of time in Islam?
Supporting creators
Every view and like supports a channel. If a host's whole brand is gluttony, alcohol or flirting with the camera, it's better not to boost them. There are plenty of halal food creators, street-food travel channels and home cooks you can enjoy instead. See Can I still follow celebrities on Instagram as a Muslim?
- Watching people eat is allowed in itself.
- Avoid videos with pork, alcohol or immodest content.
- Extreme overeating and food waste go against Islamic values.
- Watch out for your time and your own eating habits.
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