Babies' milestones should be appreciated, including their first steps, first words, and... their first hibachi experience? The funny food trend, in which parents showcase their little one’s first time at a hibachi restaurant, is going viral on TikTok and we're obsessed. From the flying knives to the massive volcano-shaped onions on fire, seeing hibachi up close for the first time is a memorable experience for everyone: especially babies.
With hilarious soundtracks in the background (think “Jaws” theme music), the trend features parents setting their phone directly in front of their child’s face. This angle allows viewers to see the hibachi experience from a baby’s perspective. As with other trending baby content on social media (like showing babies places in the house they've never been tall enough to see), the babies' facial expressions looking at hibachi chefs are priceless.
Some babies react with sheer bewilderment, while seem (understandably) alarmed, grabbing their parents for protection. Their non-verbal response is the baby equivalent of clutching one’s pearls (or pacifier, in this case).
Indirectly, the babies are probably thinking ,“Oh great heavens!” and, “Never in my months have I seen anything like this!”
People of the internet agree that while the trend seems to kind of startle the babies, it's also making them laugh, and it’s pretty funny to adults. The whole thing demonstrates that many new parents these days are Generation Z, as we take almost nothing seriously.
“Omg these videos are CRACKING ME UPPP,” one user commented.
“*20 years later in therapy: So that’s when my fear of fire began…” someone else joked.
And if you're worried about the babies, they seem to be into it to: “My daughter saw it then continued to ask for 'more fire' the rest of the night,” shared one mom.
I guess if I were still a baby, I too would be confused at the sight of a chef juggling sharp knives, throwing food in people’s mouths, and setting a towering pile of onions on fire. Instead, I’m salivating, excited to consume the flavorful meal, which comes with an entertaining show.
The next time you have a desire to eat Japanese cuisine in an open-style kitchen, bring a baby along with you for some laughs.
