The curious phenomenon of people watching other people eat online

Chiou normally watches mukbang videos while having her dinner and says the videos actually help keep her feel full. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

In her small, snug apartment in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Elaine Chiou heats up a small pot of noodles and quickly ladles the contents into a bowl. Picking up a pair of chopsticks, she then moves purposefully towards her laptop, strategically positioning her dinner in front of it.

In a matter of seconds, she has tuned in to her favourite YouTube channel and as the video begins, she starts eating her meal, her eyes rarely leaving the screen.