Competitive Eater Takeru Kobayashi Answers Your Questions

I'm not gay, I'm Japanese.

Ha! cute and funny. I think we have a winner.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

There is nothing wrong with that. You keep being sexy and shoving wieners in your face.

Thank you. I may not be gay, but I believe in supporting all people and all communities.

We'll transcribe after we are done answering, but here is the first set of questions. Answers can be found here.

qyll: You're on a death row and about to be executed. What's your last meal?

Mr_A 999: How long does it take to recover from an event? Do you digest all the food… If you do digest, I imagine its not very comfortable, so how long does it take to return your body to an equilibrium?

myth1n: What was the hardest item you've had to eat in a contest thus far? (hard meaning difficult, not physically hard).

HideousInfant: How much does flavor impact your performance? Is there any food that you have difficulty eating due to your distaste for it?

Follow up on taste and texture…

Itzslim: How do you prepare for a competition? Is it better to eat a lot before hand, or to practically starve?

Firstinthesea: Do you regret being arrested? Do you have any hard feelings towards Nathan's and how they treated you before and after your arrest? And what upcoming events are you training for (if there are any coming up)?

Not an exact transcription, but this is for people who can't watch the video right now while we wait for the official transcript. His translators were using "he" and "him" so I replaced those pronouns with "I" and "me" for ease of reading and brevity.

• qyll: You're on a death row and about to be executed. What's your last meal?

I would love to eat a steak very slowly, using a knife and fork, savoring and enjoying it.

• Mr_A 999: How long does it take to recover from an event? Do you digest all the food… If you do digest, I imagine its not very comfortable, so how long does it take to return your body to an equilibrium?

It depends on the food... But if I have four days, I can finish anything... It was very interesting was the other day when I broke the turkey record, as it took a long time to digest.

• myth1n: What was the hardest item you've had to eat in a contest thus far? (hard meaning difficult, not physically hard).

Cow brains. It wasn't that it was the most difficult, but it was the most dangerous. The way it looks, the way, it tastes, and the way it smells is horrible.

• HideousInfant: How much does flavor impact your performance? Is there any food that you have difficulty eating due to your distaste for it?

If you focus too much on the taste, you know you are not completely there, you begin to taste the item more. If I'm completely focused, I'm able to not taste it. When in my best form is when I don't remember what it tastes like. Sometimes when I've tasted the food, I'm in bad form, and I become nauseated by the smell and taste. Furthermore, I always like to keep things warm, so if I drink water, I make sure its warm. If I drink cold things, my stomach retracts, which doesn't allow it to stretch. For instance, if I'm trying to put ten pounds of something in my body, and it is cold, my body will become cold and it will start shaking.

• Itzslim: How do you prepare for a competition? Is it better to eat a lot before hand, or to practically starve?

It's not important to be completely hungry, but it's important to not have too much in the stomach and in the intestine. That's the only concern. My focus is to not be completely hungry or starving.

• Firstinthesea: Do you regret being arrested? Do you have any hard feelings towards Nathan's and how they treated you before and after your arrest? And what upcoming events are you training for (if there are any coming up)?

The only thing I can say in the sense of remorse is that I only feel sad or apologetic to the fans that came on that day and hoped to see me eat onstage, as I feel like I let them down that day. In the sense of regret, I have none, because of the chances and opportunities that came to me because of that. The fact that I'm able to speak to you today on Reddit came about because of the arrest. Also, because there was nothing at all planned about things that were going to happen, I have no way of regretting it. It wasn't intentional. It was all by chance that that happened. I was there because Ineeded to go but also because the fans that were screaming "let him eat let him eat" and before you know it I was so excited by those fans and my feet were onstage and I was there... It was really such a surprising moment, that how can I regret it?

Thank you for this.

Any background on the arrest?

edit: after googling a bit I still can't find the exact reason on why he was arrested.

Good thought.. I don't know either. All the charges were even dropped instantly by the judge. Even the security guards ushered me to the stage when they saw me, because they knew me from competing every year. They were like, "Hey Kobi! this way!" (of course they didn't know my situation with the organization, but I had a good relationship with all those people).. As soon as I was on stage, whoever told the police to arrest me. I may have gotten excited and ran on stage, but I see no reason for having been arrested.

Here is Part 2: Coney Island, contracts, bowel movements and bears.

Have you ever gone into an out-of-control hot dog feeding frenzy and had to be restrained by friends and family from eating all of their hot dogs?

Only on July 4.

How big was the biggest shit you've ever taken? Pics?

I will answer bowel movement questions in next video.

Have you every picked up a girl thanks to your talent as a competitive eater? ;-)

I was actually a star on television in Japan due to the talent and I got ranked as the top most popular guy in a Japansese magazine. So maybe due to the popularity of being a competitive eater. Frm my experience competitive eaters arent horribly thought of by women.

I'm thinking about grabbing lunch, but I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions?

Since I am preparing for Wing Bowl in Philadelphia, how about a cheesesteak? 10 of them.

You should try the Philly Taco! It's a Jim's cheesesteak wrapped in a slice of Lorenzo's pizza with a soft pretzel on the inside. Or maybe you want to try five.

Are you from Philly? I will be there training at the end of the month. I am always looking for local challenges - food and people!

I am from Philly! The Wing Bowl is a great event. Is this your first time competing there?

My first year competing. I was there last year with Flyer Bernie Parent to do a demonstration and kick off the event.

Thank you for everyone's time.. I was totally surprised at how much I was enjoying speaking with all of you, and found myself here for many hours. It has been great, but I am now ready for dinner. Pleasant Dinner Wishes & "Bon Apetit" to ALL !!

Takeru Kobayashi
"Kobi"

Thanks for taking time to do this!

The response has been amazing. It is my pleasure.

It's because you're a badass.

Thank you!

I won a Philly Cheesesteak eating contest at a local bar and earned one free every day for a year! You were my inspiration! What food could you eat every day without getting tired of?

Thank you. And good luck! Answered above. Yogurt.

You sir are a god amongst men, your stomach should be preserved and your will bestowed upon kings

Thank you!

What are your feelings with Joey Chestnut?

Well, I have competed against him many times in the past, and because of his challenge I've had a lot of fun. Now that I think about it, I guess I am very grateful for that.

I saw you walking around at Brat Days in Sheboygan WI. What did you think of our humble little festival? Also do you like Brats(Bratwurst) or Hot Dogs better?

I loved that town! I even think Id like to go back even if it has nothing to do with a contest. I only have good memories of that town.

I like brats and dogs for different reasons. I see them as completely different things.

Not sure if this was asked in the previous thread, but...

How do you think competitive eating will affect your health later in life? Is this something you think about often?

When I decided to do this as a profession, and even now I have always thought about future effects. My concern is that I always worry about cancer of the throat, esophagus or stomach. I think this profession makes me a higher risk of those things. I worry about it in a very serious way. Because of these worries, I don't go out and enter a ton of contests, I am very selective and only eats that way when in training for those contests. In regular life I eat very healthy and in moderate amounts. It is also very important that I exercise.

I remember watching you on the MTV show True Life, along with the televised eating competitions. You mentioned your stomach is lower than most people and this allows your to put more inside your stomach as it expands upwards. Have you ever been medically examined? Does your TMJ effect your eating now?

The stomach condition is true. I have been checked not on a serious level. I have had a camera put down in my stomach before. When they put it inside, just the camera touching the inside of my stomach stretched it and it surprised the doctors because of the elasticity.

Regarding the TMJ. Right before a contest one year, my jaw just wouldn't open. If I use my jaw too much in general, it become painful. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning it is jammed together. It's just difficult.

My mother suffers from TMJ and it can be very, very painful. I am glad you are able to manage and still live out your dream!

Thank you. It can be very painful. I also hope for your mother to not have to suffer from this condition.

Do you do anything to treat the TMJ issue? I know people have had success with massage therapy.

I do the same. I massage my jaw sometimes, especially in the morning when my jaw is not in good condition. I have a doctor who I see in Japan, but since moving here I do not see him often; only when I go back.

So you've confirmed that you are not gay, but you haven't confirmed whether or not you are taken. Super curious if you have a girlfriend or wife.

I have a special someone, yes.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Believe it or not yogurt. I really do love it. Sometimes I'll go a whole day just trying tons of different kinds. I also love tofu, but if I had to eat it everyday, it'd be yogurt.

You should watch Burn Notice.

I dont watch much TV

Have you tried soy yogurt?

Never. Should I?

Well, if you like tofu and yogurt....

I will try it for sure. Thank you.

Favorite toppings on a hotdog?

Basic mustard and ketchup. It's not just for the taste, but it's so pop looking having the red and yellow stripe on it.

You're awesome

Thank you. You are awesome, too.

How did you discover your ability to eat so much food?

I was a university student and eating with a friend at a fast food curry shop. There was a challenge menu to eat a certain amount of curry. I did it and ate 5,100 grams (11lb 4 oz). I sort of knew I could eat alot, but that was when I really knew I had this absurd talent.

Eating with friends at University.

I showed a video of you to elementary kids in Kochi prefecture last year. They were very impressed.

Thank you very much. That is a very cozy feeling.

what is your favorite homecooked food from your childhood?

potato croquette: deep fried smashed potato - with corned beef inside. my mother made it amazing when I was a kid.

You're not fat. How come?

Simply because I eat very healthy and I exercise all the time.

How often do you work out?

About 3 times a week.

Do you have another job outside of competitive eating?

No. This is my only occupation. What I do for a living is not just contests, but to do this professionally it's talking about eating on a cultural level. I do demonstrations, I talk at seminars. Being a professional eater is more than contests. But if you want to offer me a really good job though, I am open to offers.

What is a typical meal for you like?

The amount is usually not more than an average American's meal. I always try different things, but most of my meals always contains a meat, a small amount of carbs and a lot of vegetables. It's difficult to explain, but if you look on my website under the food section, I photograph most of my meals and post them. http://www.takeru-kobayashi.com/blog/food/

I remember seeing you a few years back on a television show. It said you had problems training for hot dog competitions in Japan because you couldn't find traditional american hot dogs. Have you since found a way to train more effectively at home?

You're right. I did have problems in Japan not being able to find the traditional hot dog Americans eat, that are in the contests. I moved to NY recently, so now I have access to all the hot dogs I want to try.

Have you tried Gray's Papaya? and if so, how delicious are they on a scale of 1 to 50

I have. About 35 I would say. Better than average.

Are there cheaters in competitive eating?

Do you take any kind of nutritional supplements to strengthen your digestion? (probiotics, Betaine HCL, etc)

ニューヨーク生まれの日本人ですけど、毎年応援しています。これからも、体に気を着けて頑張ってください！　　

Yes, I think there are a lot of cheaters. I take a lot of supplements, but none specifically for digestion. If anyone can recommend them, I am always interested in learning if there is anything good for that.

心強いメッセージをありがとうございます。今後もNYでイベントなどに出演する機会がありますので、お会いできるのを楽しみにしています。

Seeing as it is your job to eat, do you ever get sick of it? Have you grown to hate any foods that you previously loved?

Actually, because of competitive eating, I have actually learned to love many foods because of this. Ones in places I would have never been to and dishes I wouldnt have tried if not for competition. Hot dogs is an example. I always thought they were salty, but now sometimes I will have a craving. I do not eat hot dogs all the time because they are not healthy, but that's an example of one I came to like every now and then.

I am really through with cow brains. But there is nothing that I used to love that I stopped liking.

you'll probably never see this, but this has been my favourite AMA. You are a really cool guy.

I DO see this! Thank you SO much!!

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It's easy to judge, all the same food at the same size and weight.. not including chicken wings. I ate bananas for an appearance for Nintendo- Donkey Kong new game in Canada last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWMxzgKdgwE

There would be potential for potassium poisoning with eating a large quantity of banana's.

You are right. A person would have to be careful about this. Caution.

You sound sexy when you speak English

Thank you so much.

Have you ever considered competing in Iron Chef? Something tells me that you're a really great cook.. I bet that you could beat Chef Masaharu Morimoto

Id love to be on that program and I am always up for any challenge. If they wont have me as a chef, Im happy to be judge. I would love to see if Morimotosan could cook something that would blow me away.

Is there any food you can't stomach?

Cockroaches and the like. There are places and contests that do that.

I can safely say, having done one competitive eating regional and bombing out halfway through trying not to puke, what you do is a testament to the human spirit.

The level between "eating a lot" and "eating competitive" is insane. Hey, how was it to do that "man vs. animal" show where you fought a bear? Were you actually in the room with the bear?

I answer bear related questions in next video!

If you don't mind answering, how is in the toilet after the competitions? Do you only break records or toilet pots too, is what I'm asking.

I will answer in video.

Thanks for doing this!! Do you purge at the end of a competition?

I don't really ever get sick during competitions, so I really don't purge.

Who is your favorite Japanese singer?

There is a Japanese band called the Blue Heart that I love.

I thought the hot dog eating contest with the bear on Man vs Beast was great. Do you think you could beat him if given the chance again?

*for anyone that hasn't seen it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgqbCq_sxmo

Thank you! Yes, I believe I could beat the bear now. . I'm stronger than I was then. I would like to have the opportunity for that challenge again.

What do you plan to do after you retire from competitive eating? What is your dream job after this one?

I plan to do something that has to do with eating, specifically making people happy through food. There are so many occupations that can make that possible. It's not just about eating food.

How are you in the kitchen? Any cooking talent?

I'm not sure if I'm talented although I'd love to take a cooking class to learn basics.. but I cook simple things for myself. Wish I knew more about it.

What's your favorite non-competitive food?

tofu & yogurt

I sometimes see really crazy pictures of your stomach after a competitive eating competition. Can you post the most crazy one? (The ones where your muscles are like protruding everywhere to make room for your stomach)

I just posted a good photo of my stomach after competition on my facebook page. you can go there and take a look! www.facebook.com/KobiEats

What made you realize you should start competitive eating?

When I started winning very early, I realized I could probably make a living from it.

How do you get past that 'full' feeling? I have it every day and can't eat much so I imagine it's a massive problem for you.

It's difficult to feel full if your stomach is large like mine. You must have a small stomach. Oily food and things with stronge taste have distinct smells which can also make a person feel full.

When did you discover you had this "power"? Also, keep up the good work.

In university a friend called the big competitive eating show without me knowing and said i could beat them.

Was it a big culture shock moving from Japan to New York? As a side note, your English is very good!

I actually didnt have much culture shock at the very beginning because I had been coming once a year for a very long time. After being here for a while I had what I call 'reverse culture shock' where I started becoming more aware of things around me - like for instance the differences between the US and Japan's public transportation. But then there are things that are very positive and good - like people on the street stopping to help. So it's more about awareness than shock.

About my English being good, it makes me feel great. I have never spoken at length on a video like that before, so it was a big challenge.

How do you recover from a competiton? Do you not eat for several days after or just very lightly? Do you workout/exercise a lot in the days following competition?

I still eat normally after competition, but I also just rest a whole lot.