:Takeru Kobayashi

Born in Nagano, Japan, he won the 2000 Japanese variety show TV Champion Gluttony Championship by eating 16 bowls of ramen in 1 hour in the final. Also competing in the popular TV show Food Battle Club, he went on to win the final round of several stages, besting his mentor and previous champion. This resulted in a frenzy of fame for him in Japan and Asia before he appeared in the United States.

Kobayashi set his first world record in western culture in his rookie appearance on July 4, 2001, when he ate 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes at the Nathan's Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest, almost doubling the previous record of {{frac|25|1|8}}. The record was so unexpected that the organizers ran out of signs indicating how many hot dogs Kobayashi had eaten and had to resort to handwritten signs. He would go on to break his own record three times in winning the contest 6 consecutive times (2001–2006).

Kobayashi is known for having created the "Solomon Method" of separating the hot dog from the bun, while eating the dogs, then dunking the buns in water to wash the dogs down quickly. As this method became the basis to the competition for all the competitors, it also became apparent amongst the eaters, that Kobayashi's main opponent would dunk their own buns into the water while dissolving them, allowing his opponent to cheat. This later resulted in Kobayashi changing his own dunking technique and refusing to eat at any further hot dog competitions unless agreeing to a "No Dunking Rule". After much controversy between Kobayashi and the abuse he sustained from Major League Eating,{{clarify|date=May 2024|reason=What is MLE?}} he left the competition altogether to compete in a new taco competition called The Gringo Bandito Taco Eating Challenge, sponsored by Dexter Holland from The Offspring. Kobayashi went on to be the undefeated champion for nine years, his best score being 159 tacos in 10 minutes, until 2018 when the competition came to an end.

; 2006

File:Nathan 2006 Kobayashi.jpg

In the 2006 Krystal Square Off, Kobayashi's mark of 97 hamburgers was 30 better than his winning total in 2005 and 28 better than the world record he set in 2004.

At a speed-eating contest in Hong Kong on August 13, 2005, Kobayashi consumed 83 vegetarian jiaozi dumplings in 8 minutes.{{cite news |title=Japan speed-eater in dumpling win |work=BBC News |date=14 August 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4149974.stm |access-date=2 October 2006 |archive-date=12 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712025959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4149974.stm |url-status=live }} The next day, he ate 100 roasted pork buns in 12 minutes.{{cite news |author=Monday Ng |title=Japan speed eater wolfs down 100 pork buns in 12 minutes |work=The Standard |date=15 August 2005 |url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GH15Ak02.html |access-date=2 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827152601/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GH15Ak02.html |archive-date=27 August 2006 }} Kobayashi also won the 2005 Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating, a three-hour International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), elimination tournament on ESPN,{{cite news |title=Kobayashi Takes Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating |publisher=International Federation of Competitive Eating |date=31 July 2005 |url=http://www.ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=275 |access-date=2 October 2006 |archive-date=18 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018115352/http://www.ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=275 |url-status=live }} as well as the Glutton Bowl, a two-hour IFOCE eating special that aired on the Fox Network in 2002.{{cite web |author=Tama Miyake |title=Feature: Fast food |work=Metropolis Japan |url=http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/431/feature.asp |access-date=2 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117085055/http://www.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/431/feature.asp |archive-date=2006-11-17 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author=Amy Moon |title=Asian Pop: Superchomp Korean-born Sonya Thomas is the No. 1 ranked competitive eater in the USA |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=26 May 2005 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/archive/2005/05/26/eat.DTL |access-date=2 October 2006}} On Fox's 2003 show Man vs. Beast, Kobayashi lost in an eating competition against a 1089-pound (494 kg) Kodiak bear, when he ate 31 bunless hot dogs in 2 minutes and 36 seconds to the bear's 50.{{cite news |author=Larry Getlen |title=The Miracle That Is Kobayashi |url=http://www.blacktable.com/getlen050519.htm |work=The Black Table |date=19 May 2005 |access-date=23 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219044337/http://www.blacktable.com/getlen050519.htm |archive-date=19 February 2008 |url-status=dead }} In a 2014 interview, Kobayashi claims to have beaten the bear in the rehearsal.{{cite news|author=Stephen J. Dubner|title=A Better Way to Eat|url=http://freakonomics.com/2014/07/03/a-better-way-to-eat-full-transcript/|work=Freakonomics|date=3 July 2014|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215205127/http://freakonomics.com/2014/07/03/a-better-way-to-eat-full-transcript/|url-status=dead}} (In October 2012, Kobayashi broke the record held by the bear at the Texas state fair.){{citation needed|date=September 2014}} On August 5, 2006, Kobayashi set yet another world record at the Johnsonville World Bratwurst Eating Championship in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, by downing 58 bratwurst sausages in 10 minutes, shattering the previous record of 35 set the previous year by Sonya Thomas.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Kobayashi eats record 58 brats in Sheboygan |work=USA Today |date=5 August 2006 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-08-05-brat-record_x.htm |access-date=1 July 2007 |archive-date=3 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303205206/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-08-05-brat-record_x.htm |url-status=live }} On September 23, 2006, Takeru Kobayashi set the world record at the Phantom Food Festival in Boston, for eating 41 Summer Shack lobster rolls in 10 minutes, replacing the previous record of 22 rolls. Other world-eating records held by Kobayashi include {{convert|17.7|lb|kg}} of cow brains in 15 minutes and {{convert|20|lb|kg}} of rice balls in 30 minutes.

; 2007

On June 25, 2007, Kobayashi announced on his blog that he seriously injured his jaw during training. He stated that he could only open his jaw about the width of a fingertip. Kobayashi's participation in the July 4, 2007, Nathan's contest continued as scheduled. He was able to eat a personal record 63 hot dogs, though his mark was bettered by Joey Chestnut's 66.{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043882,00.html |title=Hot Dog Eating Champ Diagnosed with Arthritic Jaw |work=People magazine |date=27 June 2007 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823191204/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043882,00.html |url-status=dead }}

; 2008

On July 4, 2008, Kobayashi once again competed in the Nathan's contest. He ate 59 hot dogs, tying Chestnut, but lost a sudden death five dog eat off to finish second. This was controversial, as the five dog eat off was decided at the spur of the moment, and had not been an official rule previously, to decide a winner in the circumstance of a tie.

; 2009

File:20090928-kobayashi.jpg

Kobayashi went on to defeat Joey Chestnut, on May 31, 2009, in a Pizza Hut P'Zone competition at Sony Studios in Culver City, California. The competition aired on Spike TV on June 21.{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/pizza_eating_contest |date=31 May 2009 |author=Beth Harris |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611171936/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/pizza_eating_contest |title=Japan's Kobayashi beats Chestnut in eating rematch |archive-date=11 June 2009 |access-date=12 August 2016}} In July 2009, Kobayashi visited Puerto Rico in a special appearance for Taco Bell's Why Pay More Challenge, eating 64 tacos in 15 minutes for a local charity.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVJMm3ex9zg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/wVJMm3ex9zg| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Takeru Kobayashi in Puerto Rico |publisher=YouTube.com |date=18 July 2009 |access-date=12 August 2016}}{{cbignore}} On July 4, 2009, he competed again in the Nathan's contest. He ate 64.5 hot dogs to Joey Chestnut's 68.{{cite web |last=Byrd |first=Gene |url=http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272626801.shtml |title=nationnaledger.com, Joey Chestnut Beats Takeru Kobayashi |work=National Ledger |date=4 July 2009 |access-date=25 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708060830/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272626801.shtml |archive-date=8 July 2009 }} On September 27, 2009, Kobayashi defeated Chestnut with a score of 93 (68 Krystals, 5 Big Angus Burgers), earning the $20,000 top prize. Chestnut was second, with 81, and Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished third, with 76.{{cite web |title=Takeru Kobayashi Beats Joey Chestnut, Wins Krystal Square Off VI | website=YouTube | date=28 September 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_H2bgLXcE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/mF_H2bgLXcE| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=12 August 2016}}{{cbignore}}

File:Kobayashi Takeru, Japanese competitive eater 2.jpg

; 2011

On July 4, 2011, Kobayashi competed on the rooftop of a Manhattan bar simultaneously with the Nathan's Contest at Coney Island via a live video simulcast of the event. Kobayashi finished 69 hot dogs, one more than the officially recognized world record at the time.{{cite news |last=TMZ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0CXP_xSL4 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711050701/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0CXP_xSL4| archive-date=2011-07-11 | url-status=dead|title=Kobayashi INHALES 69 Hot Dogs – The VIDEO! – Hot Dog Eating Contest Record! |work=TMZ |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=5 July 2011}}

; 2012

On January 23, 2012. Kobayashi went on The Wendy Williams Show to set the record for eating the most Twinkies in one minute, for the "Save The Twinkie" campaign, and set a new world record of 14 Twinkies. On February 3, 2012, Kobayashi set the new Wing Bowl record for eating chicken wings at Wing Bowl XX, held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. His total was 337 wings in his first competition in that event.{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/wing-bowl-20-begins-to-stir-up/ |title=Kobayashi Eats 337 Wings In Wing Bowl 20 Victory |date=3 February 2012 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820113532/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/wing-bowl-20-begins-to-stir-up/ |url-status=live }} On August 26, 2012, Kobayashi set the new world record at the New York State Fair in Syracuse for eating 110 hot dogs in 10 minutes. In October 2012, Kobayashi set the new world record at the State Fair of Texas for eating 60 hot dogs in 2 minutes 35 seconds. On June 30, 2012, Kobayashi revealed the terms of the Major League Eating (MLE) contract he was required to sign in order to compete in Nathan's Fourth of July hot dog eating competition. The year-long contract limited him to $40,000 and took away any rights to endorse or engage in anything outside of what MLE mandated.{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Amy K. |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012/7/4/3135547/nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest-2012-kobayashi |title=Kobayashi Vs. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest |publisher=SBNation.com |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=25 June 2013 |archive-date=1 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701113357/http://www.sbnation.com/2012/7/4/3135547/nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest-2012-kobayashi |url-status=live }} On July 4, 2012, Kobayashi competed in the Crif Dog Classic. He ate 58.5 hot dogs and buns. On October 11, 2012, Kobayashi set the new world record at the Gringo Bandito Taco Challenge by eating 106 tacos in 10 minutes{{cite web|title=Kobayashi, first place champ|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/slideshow/gringo-bandito-taco-eating-challenge-featuring-kobayashi-chronic-tacos-hb-6214231|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814020934/http://www.ocweekly.com/slideshow/gringo-bandito-taco-eating-challenge-featuring-kobayashi-chronic-tacos-hb-6214231|archive-date=14 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

; 2013

On July 21, 2013, Kobayashi defended his title at the Gringo Bandito Taco Challenge. On October 6, 2013, Kobayashi won "LET 'EM EAT" Canada's biggest pizza eating contest for the fourth year in a row.{{cite news |title=Kobayashi wins Canada's biggest pizza eating contest for the fourth year in a row |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/06/could_you_eat_10_pizzas_in_12_minutes_this_guy_did.html |location=Toronto |work=The Star |date=6 October 2013 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821042901/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/06/could_you_eat_10_pizzas_in_12_minutes_this_guy_did.html |url-status=live }}

; 2014

On August 4, 2014, Kobayashi set the new world record at "LET 'EM EAT" Canada's biggest pizza eating contest by eating 62 slices of pizza (15 and a half pizzas) in 12 minutes.{{cite web |title=Kobayashi takes Let Them Eat Pie title again in Barrie |url=http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4736139-kobayashi-takes-let-them-eat-pie-title-again-in-barrie/ |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212222405/https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/4736139-kobayashi-takes-let-them-eat-pie-title-again-in-barrie/ |url-status=live }}

2024

Kobayashi competed against Joey Chestnut in September 2024 in a live-streamed Netflix event titled "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef".{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title=Hot dog-eating champs Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will go head-to head in a Netflix special |url=https://apnews.com/article/joey-chestnut-netflix-contest-takeru-kobayashi-2ca97d0a8a1a6ceb40ea681b5f0a57b5 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716052123/https://apnews.com/article/joey-chestnut-netflix-contest-takeru-kobayashi-2ca97d0a8a1a6ceb40ea681b5f0a57b5 |url-status=live }} Chestnut defeated Kobayashi, eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Kobayashi ate 66 hot dogs, breaking his personal best that he set in 2009 at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.{{cite web |title=Joey Chestnut dominates Takeru Kobayashi in record-setting hot dog eating showdown for Netflix |url=https://nypost.com/2024/09/02/sports/joey-chestnut-dominates-takeru-kobayashi-in-record-setting-hot-dog-eating-showdown/ |website=New York Post |access-date=17 October 2024}}

Kobayashi expands his stomach for a competition by eating larger and larger amounts of food, and then exercises to ensure that fat will not impede expansion of his stomach during a competition.{{cite web |author=Talmadge, Eric |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20040625f2.htm |title=Pigout champion Kobayashi limbers up for hot dog gold |work=Japan Times |date=25 June 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803223444/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20040625f2.htm |archive-date=3 August 2004 |access-date=12 August 2016}} His official web site gives his height as {{cvt|173|cm}} and his weight as {{cvt|58|kg}}. He has weighed as much as {{cvt|87|kg}} according to a June 29, 2006 blog entry.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/07/03/2008-07-03_contenders_get_ready_for_nathans_hot_dog.html |title=Contenders get ready for Nathan's hot dog eating contest |date=3 July 2008 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=4 July 2009 |location=New York |work=Daily News |archive-date=11 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011035319/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/07/03/2008-07-03_contenders_get_ready_for_nathans_hot_dog.html |url-status=dead }} As of July 4, 2009, Kobayashi weighed in at 60 kg (132 lb) for the annual 4th of July hot dog eating competition on Coney Island.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/07/03/2009-07-03_man_bites_dog__with_one_winner.html |title=Arch rivals square off at Nathan's hot dog-eating weigh-in |date=3 July 2009 |work=New York Daily News |first=Zak |last=Failla |access-date=4 July 2009 |archive-date=4 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704142135/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/07/03/2009-07-03_man_bites_dog__with_one_winner.html |url-status=dead }} Kobayashi is also known for his trademark body wiggle, referred to by some as the "Kobayashi Shake", to force food down his esophagus and settle more compactly in his stomach.{{cite magazine|author=Farley, David|url=http://www.timeout.com/newyork/DetailsAr.do?file=/eatout/433/433.eat.feat.html|title=Curious Gorge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716035547/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/DetailsAr.do?file=%2Featout%2F433%2F433.eat.feat.html|archive-date=July 16, 2006|magazine=Time Out|date=15 January 2004|access-date=25 June 2006}} He eats hot dogs by splitting the frankfurter in half, dipping the buns in water, and then stuffing both parts in his mouth. He calls this the Solomon Method.Poon, William. "[http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC051262/William/hotdogeatingcontest.htm Nathan's Famous Hotdog Eating Contest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215231006/http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC051262/William/hotdogeatingcontest.htm |date=2005-12-15 }}." ThinkQuest. Retrieved 25 June 2006.

In the Japanese TV program "TV Champion", in a competition to see how much ramen one can eat in 1 hour, Kobayashi adopted a tactic of lifting the noodles at once to allow air to pass through the noodles, and then putting them in his mouth after they had cooled down.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/plus/entertainment/entry/2020/021774.html|title=小林尊VS赤阪尊子の名勝負、伝説の「ゆでダコ丸かじり45分勝負」も一挙大放出：TVチャンピオン|website=テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東の読んで見て感じるメディア テレ東プラス|publisher=|date=2020-05-09|accessdate=2023-08-20|archive-date=2023-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820103747/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/plus/entertainment/entry/2020/021774.html|url-status=live}}

• Bunless hot dogs: 110 bunless hot dogs in 10 minutes at the New York State Fair{{cite web |title=Kobayashi: 110 bunless hot dogs in ten minutes |url=http://wtkr.com/2012/08/27/kobayashi-110-bunless-hot-dogs-in-ten-minutes/ |date=27 August 2012 |access-date=4 July 2015 |author=Holly Henry |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124457/http://wtkr.com/2012/08/27/kobayashi-110-bunless-hot-dogs-in-ten-minutes/ |url-status=live }}
• Bunless hot dogs: 60 bunless hot dogs in 2 minutes and 35 seconds at the Texas State Fair on 12 October 2012{{cite web |title=Takeru Kobayashi Stuffs Down 60 Hot Dogs in Less Than Three Minutes at the State Fair |url=http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/10/16/takeru-kobayashi-stuffs-down-60-hot-dogs-in-three-minutes-at-the-state-fair/ |access-date=2013-07-16 |archive-date=2015-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906202416/http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/10/16/takeru-kobayashi-stuffs-down-60-hot-dogs-in-three-minutes-at-the-state-fair/ |url-status=live }}
• Rice balls: 150 rice balls (20 pounds) in 30 minutes "Food Battle Club" Tokyo Broadcasting System Television
• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: 13 grilled cheese sandwiches in 1 minute at South by Southwest{{cite magazine |title=Watch: Takeru Kobayashi Eats 13 Grilled Cheeses in One Minute |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/12/watch-takeru-kobayashi-eats-13-grilled-cheeses-in-one-minute/ |magazine=Time |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=18 July 2013 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822065411/https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/12/watch-takeru-kobayashi-eats-13-grilled-cheeses-in-one-minute/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=SXSW 2012: Takeru Kobayashi Eats 13 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in One Minute (Video) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grilled-cheese-sandwiches-kobayashi-sxsw-298433 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=11 March 2012 |access-date=16 July 2013 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210202643/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grilled-cheese-sandwiches-kobayashi-sxsw-298433 |url-status=live }}
• Buffalo wings: 337 buffalo wings in 30 minutes at The 20th Annual Wing Bowl on 3 February 2012{{cite web |title=Kobayashi Downs 337 Wings |website=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/kobayashi-downs-337-wings-wing-bowl-15510339 |access-date=2020-06-29 |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034600/https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/kobayashi-downs-337-wings-wing-bowl-15510339 |url-status=live }}
• Lobster rolls: 41 lobster rolls at the Phantom Food Festival in Boston, Massachusetts, for eating in 10 minutes
• Cow brains: 57 Cow Brains (17.7 pounds) in 15 minutes "Glutton Bowl" Fox{{cite web|title=eat cow brain the Final| website=YouTube | date=24 October 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kxTO3dFDfM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/1kxTO3dFDfM| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}
• Hamburgers: 93 hamburgers in 8 minutes at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga (No Dunking World Record)
• Tacos: 159 tacos in 10 minutes at the Gringo Bandito Chronic Tacos Challenge on April 8, 2017{{cite web |title=With tacos, beer and live music, Sabroso a sold-out success at Doheny |date=9 April 2017 |url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/04/09/with-tacos-beer-and-live-music-sabroso-a-sold-out-success-at-doheny/ |access-date=29 April 2017 |archive-date=22 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422220604/http://www.ocregister.com/2017/04/09/with-tacos-beer-and-live-music-sabroso-a-sold-out-success-at-doheny/ |url-status=live }}
• Pizza: 62 slices of pizza (15 and a half pizzas) in 12 minutes in Canada{{cite web|title=Japanese eating superstar Kobayashi was back in Barrie today|url=http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=411313&binId=1.1147261&playlistPageNum=1|access-date=2014-09-20|archive-date=2021-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228081832/https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=411313&binId=1.1147261&playlistPageNum=1|url-status=live}}
• Chicken satay: 11.92 pounds of chicken satay at Robertson Walk, Singapore on 27 July 2008{{cite web|title=Kobayashi won the contest after consuming up to 5 Kgs [sic] of satay. |agency=Associated Press |author=Wong Maye-E |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/07/28/singapore-devours-first-professional-eating-contest-japanese-eater-chews-spits-out-f |date=28 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004547/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/07/28/singapore-devours-first-professional-eating-contest-japanese-eater-chews-spits-out-f |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• Cheesesteak: 1 cheesesteak in 24.3 seconds at The 19th Annual Wing Bowl on 4 February 2011{{cite web|title=Kobayashi eats a Cheesesteak at Wing Bowl|date=4 February 2012|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xoc49g_kobayashi-eats-a-cheesesteak-at-wing-bowl_news#.UeecBTkTu2w|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927055643/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xoc49g_kobayashi-eats-a-cheesesteak-at-wing-bowl_news#.UeecBTkTu2w|url-status=live}}
• Soba noodles: 21.3 pounds of soba in 12 minutes "TV Champion" TV Tokyo Corporation

On June 28, 2010, Kobayashi announced he would not compete in the Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Competition, reportedly due to the company's insistence that Kobayashi sign an exclusive contract.{{cite web |url=http://calorielab.com/news/2010/07/03/feds-grant-takeru-kobayashi-special-visa-for-extraordinary-ability/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709084635/http://calorielab.com/news/2010/07/03/feds-grant-takeru-kobayashi-special-visa-for-extraordinary-ability/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |title=Feds Grant Takeru Kobayashi Special Visa for "Extraordinary Ability" |publisher=Calorielab.com |date=3 July 2010 |access-date=25 June 2013 }}

On July 4, 2010, Kobayashi was in attendance watching from the crowd at the Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Wearing a black T-shirt that read "Free Kobi", Kobayashi mingled with the crowd, standing inside a police-barricaded pen just under the stage. After the competition ended, the spectators began chanting his name loudly, demanding that they "let him eat". Accordingly, Kobayashi indulged their wishes by climbing up onto the stage to a thunderous ovation. Although he was initially ushered by security officers up to the stage, one security officer (thought to have been requested by George Shea) arrested him from behind, and Kobayashi began resisting and thrashing his body around at the officials attempting to commandeer him. A struggle ensued, eventually resulting in Kobayashi being thrown against the barricades and tossed into the fences before finally being handcuffed and placed inside a police car. Some witnesses reported that Kobayashi was simply intending to shake the hand of the winner, Joey Chestnut, as a gesture of sportsmanship and goodwill. This has led analysts to believe that Kobayashi was fully intent on a contract renegotiation with MLE, and that congratulating Chestnut loosely resembled a "peace offering" from Kobayashi.{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/415463-chestnut-wins-for-4th-straight-year-kobayashi-arrested|title=Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2010: Joey Chestnut Wins for Fourth Year|date=4 July 2010|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=4 July 2010|archive-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001221339/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/415463-chestnut-wins-for-4th-straight-year-kobayashi-arrested|url-status=live}} Co-host and MLE President Richard Shea stated that "[Kobayashi] tried to jump on stage during the awards ceremony to disrupt it."{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/04/2010-07-04_joey_jaws_chestnut_wins_nathans_july_fourth_hot_dog_eating_contest.html |title=Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut wins Nathan's July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest |date=4 July 2010 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=4 July 2010 |archive-date=6 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706215818/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/04/2010-07-04_joey_jaws_chestnut_wins_nathans_july_fourth_hot_dog_eating_contest.html |url-status=dead }} He was charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, and obstructing government administration and subsequently was taken to jail, awaiting an appearance in Brooklyn Criminal Court.{{cite news |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/ |title=Kobayashi arrested after Chestnut's hot dog win |date=4 July 2010 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=4 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709030959/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/ |archive-date=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Kobayashi's interpreter and publicist, Maggie James (later, his wife), said he had originally gone in hopes to cheer on his fellow competitive eaters, but after arriving at the venue only to hear support from the fans demanding that they "let him eat," he was swooped onto the stage due to the excitement. She said "There's a contract dispute, they weren't giving him his freedom. It was unfair."{{cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/ |title=Kobayashi arrested after Chestnut's hot dog win – othersports |publisher=nbcsports.msnbc.com |date=4 July 2010 |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709030959/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38086913/ns/sports-othersports/ |archive-date=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead }} Kobayashi told reporters he had a sandwich and a glass of milk while being held. "I am very hungry," he said. "I wish there were hot dogs in jail."{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/news/story?id=5355723 |title=Takeru Kobayashi freed from jail, pleads not guilty to charges from post-hot dog contest arrest |publisher=ESPN |date=5 July 2010 |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-date=8 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708202527/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/news/story?id=5355723 |url-status=live }} On August 5, 2010, all charges against Kobayashi were dismissed by a judge in Brooklyn.{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/u-s-charges-dropped-against-japanese-speed-eater-idUSTRE6743Z1/ |title=U.S. charges dropped against Japanese speed-eater |work=Reuters |date=August 5, 2010 |first1=Basil |last1=Katz}} Despite his record six consecutive victories in their annual event, Nathan’s removed Kobayashi’s image from their "Wall of Fame" in 2011.{{cite web |last=Buiso |first=Gary |title=Whitewashed! More disgrace for Kobayashi as Nathan's removes him from 'Wall of Fame' |url=http://brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/17/all_nathanswall_2011_4_29_bk.html |work=The Brooklyn Paper |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=4 July 2011 |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430123839/http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/17/all_nathanswall_2011_4_29_bk.html |url-status=live }} After Kobayashi left Nathan's, the hot dog contest lost sponsorship from Old Navy, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, and Pepto-Bismol, and its year-to-year Nielsen ratings fell. With an average 0.7 HH U.S. rating, it was off a tenth of a point from 2012, when it aired on ESPN. ESPN averaged 1.949 million viewers for 2011’s Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest but went down 41%, to 1.15 million viewers, in 2013.{{cite web |title=Final Nielsen Ratings From Recent sports Telecasts |date=8 July 2011 |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/07/08/Media/Nielsens.aspx |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231840/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/07/08/Media/Nielsens.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=With an average 0.7 HH u.s ratings |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-joey-chestnut-andy-581834 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=9 November 2013 |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716052125/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-joey-chestnut-andy-581834/ |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Kobayashi was still barred from the annual Nathan's event due to the contract dispute. On July 4, he competed on the rooftop of a Manhattan bar, 230 Fifth, for the duration of the Coney Island contest.{{citation |last=Fleischaker |first=Emily |title=Takeru Kobayashi's Declaration Of Independence |newspaper=BuzzFeed |date=July 3, 2013 |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/table-for-one-why-competitive-eatings-first-superstar-is-in |access-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527152114/https://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/table-for-one-why-competitive-eatings-first-superstar-is-in |url-status=live }} Two official judges from the Athletic Association of NY observed Kobayashi while the live broadcast of the event played next to him on a large television screen. Kobayashi finished 69 hot dogs, one more than the officially recognized world record at the time.

In 2012, Kobayashi was still barred from the annual Nathan's event due to the contract dispute. Kobayashi ate 58.5 at Crif dog classic, eating a different type hot dog from Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/05/us/new-york-competitve-hot-dog-eating/index.html |work=CNN |title=Kobayashi actually bested in hot dog eating bonanza, officials say – CNN.com |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=5 July 2013 |archive-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521002426/http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/05/us/new-york-competitve-hot-dog-eating/index.html |url-status=live }}

Kobayashi ate 113 bunless Nathan's hot dogs at 230 Fifth.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2014/07/04/the-most-american-photos-of-the-day/#19 |title=the-most-american-photos-of-the-day}}

In 2005, Kobayashi appeared in a commercial for ESPN's SportsCenter.{{cite web |title=This is SportsCenter |url=http://cargocollective.com/theandyreview/ESPN-SportsCenter |access-date=2013-11-09 |archive-date=2014-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714011001/http://cargocollective.com/theandyreview/ESPN-SportsCenter |url-status=live }} In 2007, Kobayashi appeared in commercials for MasterCard{{cite web |title=Takeru Kobayashi in his own MasterCard commercial |url=http://www.supersizedmeals.com/food/article.php/20070227-Takeru_Kobayashi_Mastercard |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811055450/http://www.supersizedmeals.com/food/article.php/20070227-Takeru_Kobayashi_Mastercard |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The Showdown – Priceless |url=http://www.creditduet.com/the-showdown-priceless.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014041739/http://www.creditduet.com/the-showdown-priceless.html |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=12 August 2016}} and Coors Light.{{cite web |title=Coors light-"Takeru Kobayashi" |url=http://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/6699978 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818102250/http://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/6699978 |url-status=live }} In 2008 Kobayashi appeared in a Western Canada Lottery Corporation commercial.{{cite web |title=Western Canada Lottery Corporation breaks new campaign |url=http://www.adnews.com/24899 |date=12 June 2008 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213530/http://www.adnews.com/24899 |url-status=live }} On May 30, 2009, Kobayashi attended the Spike Guys' Choice Awards.

File:Kobayashi Takeru competitive eater with hachimaki.jpg, 2010]]

In November 2010, Kobayashi appeared in a magazine featuring men's clothing published as an offshoot of V magazine, VMAN 20th Winter.{{cite web|title=Sebastian Stan & Takeru Kobayashi Are VMAN Men |url=http://issuu.com/vmagazine/docs/vman20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307171154/http://issuu.com/vmagazine/docs/vman20 |archive-date=2013-03-07 }} In November 2010, Kobayashi competed against Donkey Kong in a banana eating contest at the Rio-Can Centre in Toronto as part of the launch for Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country Returns.{{cite web |title=Kobayashi Eats 16 Bananas In Less Than A Minute! | website=YouTube | date=20 November 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij9CKlRixF0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Ij9CKlRixF0| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=12 August 2016}}{{cbignore}} On July 7, 2011, Kobayashi made a guest appearance at Hewlett Packard event 2011. The other guests were Snoop Dogg, Sugar Ray, Dan Finnerty, Third Eye Blind, Candlebox.{{cite web |title=Two Dogs in 'Da House | website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=602267686464563&set=a.306656259359042.79070.298357426855592&type=3&theater |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717181813/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=602267686464563&set=a.306656259359042.79070.298357426855592&type=3&theater |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-17 }} In 2011, Kobayashi appeared in TVB commercial.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} In Spring 2011, Kobayashi appeared in his first major fashion editorial in Canada's The Block magazine as a model. Additionally, Kobayashi is an aspiring dog trainer, with six labradoodles he calls his "hot dogs."{{cite web |title=Kobayashi |url=http://www.theblock-mag.com/kobayashi/ |work=The Block |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401150109/http://www.theblock-mag.com/kobayashi/ |archive-date=1 April 2011 |access-date=12 August 2016}} In June 2012, Kobayashi made a special guest appearance and a taco demonstration at The Offspring's release party for their album Days Go By.{{cite web|title=Days Go By "Pop-Up" Release Day Party|url=http://www.offspring.com/news/343/|access-date=2018-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202084135/http://offspring.com/news/343/|archive-date=2012-12-02|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, Kobayashi appeared in an Eight O'Clock Coffee{{cite web|title=Jim Breuer Watches Kobayashi Drink 42 cups of coffee|date=9 May 2012|url=http://banana1015.com/jim-breuer-watches-kobayashi-drink-42-cups-of-coffee/|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109183708/http://banana1015.com/jim-breuer-watches-kobayashi-drink-42-cups-of-coffee/|url-status=live}} and a Hofmann{{cite web|title=Watch the new commercial for Hofmann hot dog,starring with Takeru Kobayashi|date=18 September 2012|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/watch_the_new_commercial_for_h.html|access-date=9 November 2013|archive-date=9 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109201700/http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/watch_the_new_commercial_for_h.html|url-status=live}} commercial. In 2012, Kobayashi appeared on a celebrity edition of Fear Factor.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} In 2013, Kobayashi appeared in Just-Eat{{cite web|title=Just Eat Campus featuring Kobayashi|url=http://www.just-eat.ca/blog/the-just-eat-campus-chompionship-is-here/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109183514/http://www.just-eat.ca/blog/the-just-eat-campus-chompionship-is-here/|archive-date=2013-11-09}} and Thuzio{{cite web|title=Kobayashi's Twinkie Trail| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5eu53ka01A| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511073347/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5eu53ka01A| archive-date=2014-05-11 | url-status=dead}} commercials. Kobayashi has been featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live,{{cite web|title=SNL TV Funhouse KOBAYASHI The Hot Dog Eater|date=9 December 2007 |url=http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/6429/SNL-TV-Funhouse-KOBAYASHI-The-Hot-Dog-Eater/}} MTV's True Life, MTV After Hours With Josh Horowitz,{{cite web|title=Danny McBride Vs Kobayashi: Pizza Chow-Down!|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/08/10/danny-mcbride-vs-kobayashi-pizza-chow-down/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020184110/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/08/10/danny-mcbride-vs-kobayashi-pizza-chow-down/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2011}} The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Wendy Williams Show and has done original features with Buzzfeed.com,{{cite web|title=Takeru Kobayashi Shatters Peep Eating World Record|website=BuzzFeed|date=6 April 2012|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/takeru-kobayashi-sets-peep-eating-world-record|access-date=15 September 2017|archive-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413030509/http://www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/takeru-kobayashi-sets-peep-eating-world-record|url-status=live}} CollegeHumor.com{{cite web|title=BuzzFeed KOBAYASHI|website=BuzzFeed|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/tag/kobayashi|access-date=2017-09-15|archive-date=2016-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420000524/http://www.buzzfeed.com/tag/kobayashi|url-status=live}} and SI.com,{{cite news|title=Kobayashi takes on eggs, milk and the SI Office |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2011/10/04/100411.kobayashi_si_office.SportsIllustrated/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717181804/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2011/10/04/100411.kobayashi_si_office.SportsIllustrated/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2013 | work=CNN}}{{cite news|title=Kobayashi takes on Christmas cake and eggnog|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2011/12/22/122111.kobayashi_eating_holiday.SportsIllustrated/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717181744/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2011/12/22/122111.kobayashi_eating_holiday.SportsIllustrated/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2013 | work=CNN}} and is a featured user on the foodie mobile and web-based app Foodspotting. On July 4, 2013, Kobayashi unveiled his new line of all-beef midwestern grain-fed hot dogs, known officially as "Kobi Dogs"{{cite web|title=Order Your KOBI DOG Today!|url=http://www.rastellidirect.com/kobidog/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026012128/http://www.rastellidirect.com/kobidog/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-26}} at Eventi Hotel in New York. On September 16, 2014, he appeared in a YouTube video competing with a hamster. The video ends with Kobayashi acknowledging his defeat by placing a medal around the hamster's neck.{{cite web|title= Tiny Hamster vs Kobayashi – YouTube| website=YouTube | date=16 September 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPHlHuhBVFI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/XPHlHuhBVFI| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Tiny hamster eats tiny hot dogs faster than competitive eater Kobayashi|url=http://sploid.gizmodo.com/tiny-hamster-eats-tiny-hot-dogs-faster-than-competitive-1635663645|access-date=2014-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917113433/http://sploid.gizmodo.com/tiny-hamster-eats-tiny-hot-dogs-faster-than-competitive-1635663645|archive-date=2014-09-17|url-status=dead}} On September 22, 2015, Kobayashi, along with Patrick Bertoletti, Kevin Strahle and Bob Shoudt, consumed a 40-pound goat in 13 minutes and 22 seconds at Taco In A Bag in Chicago.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2015/09/24/competitive-eaters-devour-goat-meat-to-break-chicago-cubs-curse/ |title=Competitive eaters devour goat meat to break Cubs curse |date=24 September 2015 |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=27 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027215728/http://nypost.com/2015/09/24/competitive-eaters-devour-goat-meat-to-break-chicago-cubs-curse/ |url-status=live }} In 2015, Takeru Kobayashi consumed 110 hot dogs without buns in 10 minutes.{{cite web |title=Kobayashi: 110 bunless hot dogs in ten minutes |date=27 August 2012 |url=http://wtkr.com/2012/08/27/kobayashi-110-bunless-hot-dogs-in-ten-minutes/ |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124457/http://wtkr.com/2012/08/27/kobayashi-110-bunless-hot-dogs-in-ten-minutes/ |url-status=live }} On April 26, 2019, Nicole Lucas Haimes' feature documentary The Good, The Bad, The Hungry premiered at The Tribeca Film Festival, with Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut in attendance.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-23 |title=The Good, The Bad, The Hungry {{!}} 2019 Tribeca Film Festival |url=https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/good-the-bad-the-hungry-2019 |access-date=2022-07-04 |archive-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423054859/https://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/good-the-bad-the-hungry-2019 |url-status=bot: unknown }}

In the 93rd TV Funhouse short on the November 11th, 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live, Kobayashi is the titular character of "Kobayashi", a parody of popular anime series, namely Dragon Ball Z, where he appears in-between animated scenes as himself. Kobayashi's eating abilities partially inspired the King of the Hill episode "The Fat and the Furious". This episode originally aired on November 10, 2002. In 2004, a character inspired by Kobayashi, namely Kobarushi, appears in Megas XLR{{'}}s episode "Bad Guy". Kobayashi also helped inspire the 2005 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode "Dog Eat Dog". The episode features a victim who ate himself to death, in part from eating several hot dogs at a hot dog eating contest. Kobayashi is mentioned by Will Ferrell's character, Ricky Bobby, in the 2006 film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Referenced in movie Step Brothers by Randy (Rob Riggle) after Derek (Adam Scott) threatens that Randy will, "...eat Brennan's (Will Ferrell's) dick", if Brennan botches the Catalina Wine Mixer, Randy adds, "Like Kobayashi!".{{Citation|last=CMN98|title=Step Brothers: Eat your dick|date=2008-12-06|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8lMbk4DeN7E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/8lMbk4DeN7E| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-10-30}}{{cbignore}} Kobayashi appears in the ending cinematic of level three, "Around the World in 80 Bites" in the 2007 video game, The Simpsons Game. In The Simpsons episode "Luca$" in the 25th season, the character Lucas Bortner wears a T-shirt with a photo of Kobayashi eating and refers to him in a dialogue. The Family Guy episode "Killer Queen" features a parody of Kobayashi named Charles Yamamoto (voiced by Robert Wu), a hot dog-eating champion who is dethroned by Chris Griffin at a hot dog-eating contest, later making numerous attempts on Chris' life in revenge for defeating and dishonoring him at the competition. In the 1000 Ways to Die skit "Vom-Ate-Dead", a professional eater modeled after Takeru Kobayashi is cornered by an emetophiliac woman who forces him to vomit on her, which causes her death when she chokes on an undigested piece of hot dog. Kobayashi appears as himself on a 2012 episode of Jake and Amir, a CollegeHumor web series. He becomes aggressive when Jake tries to feed him hot dogs. Kobayashi appears as himself in the movie The Houses October Built 2. He is in the Brain Eating Contest during the Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Kobayashi was featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Hack your Health: Secrets of Your Gut, where he announced his retirement from competitive eating and a desire to create more healthy hot dogs.{{cite web | url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/hack-your-health-secrets-of-your-gut-release-date-trailer-news | title=In the Search for Wellness, Hack Your Health Goes Straight to the Gut | website=Netflix }}

• List of competitive eaters

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/KobiEats Takeru Kobayashi] on Facebook
• [https://twitter.com/FReeKobi0704 Takeru Kobayashi] on Twitter
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141107121320/http://instagram.com/kobayashitakeru Takeru Kobayashi] on Instagram
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131026012128/http://www.rastellidirect.com/kobidog/ Kobi Dog]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060715071153/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/07/05/nathans.hotdog/index.html Sports Illustrated feature on 2006 contest]

{{Competitive eating}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kobayashi, Takeru}}

Category:1978 births

Category:Japanese competitive eaters

Category:Living people

Category:People from Nagano (city)

Category:Yokkaichi University alumni

Category:World record holders