Korean words in the Oxford English DictionaryLanguage

Mukbang (먹방) — eating on camera

A mukbang is a video, often livestreamed, in which someone eats food while talking with viewers. The word is short for 먹는 방송 (meokneun bangsong).

OED update: September 2021Korean: 먹방 (meokbang)Short for 먹는 방송Updated Oct 20, 2026

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    A small pot for cooking ramyeon, the kind of food often eaten in mukbang videos.

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What it means

Mukbang (먹방) joins 먹다 (meokda, to eat) and 방송 (bangsong, broadcast). Creators eat, often large amounts, while chatting with their audience.

In the OED

The OED added “mukbang” in September 2021. Coverage describes it as a livestreamed video of someone eating, often large quantities, while talking with viewers. The same reports say it emerged in the 21st century and is not in the Standard Korean Language Dictionary.

How it's used in Korea

In Korea 먹방 can also describe a TV scene or show where people eat with great enjoyment. 먹방 유튜버 means a food streamer.

Example

“오늘 저녁은 라면 먹방이에요.” (Tonight is a ramyeon mukbang.)

More on K for All

LanguageWord of the DayKorean cooking toolsOED entry: mukbang

Sources (3)

JoongAng Daily, OED's 26 new additions (Dec 2021)Mothership, Korean words added to the OED (Oct 2021)ABS-CBN, 26 Korean words added to the OED

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