Cooking her way into hearts: Lunibahhcooks

With over one billion users on the TikTok application, it is possible we all have gone down the rabbit hole of scrolling past the videos its algorithm has crafted for us. Getting featured in the “For You Page” is a matter of sheer luck, and can be bestowed upon anyone—popular or not. Like many people, Luniva Manandhar started her TikTok journey to kill time during the pandemic, making playful videos under various sounds. Fortunately for her, her videos started gaining traction quickly and she now finds herself in the world of content creation. This 18-year-old content creator under the username “lunibahhcooks” may have appeared on your TikTok “For You Page” one too many times, drawing viewers in with her soft-spoken silvery voice.

She has come a long way since she started—her account now at over 20,000 followers and 1 million likes. Her journey started in an unexpected way, with a humorous video on making “Pudina ko Chiya” under another Nepali TikToker’s audio. It wasn't until her “Katti Roll” tutorial gained 12,000 likes, she finally considered making serious food tutorials. Since, she has made countless food tutorial videos—ranging from Italian, Nepali, Newari, and American cuisine—which her viewers adore.

Considering how short of an attention span many users have—people are particularly drawn to her content due to how she manages to take viewers through a whole tutorial in a short amount of time and keep them entertained with her voice overs. As her content started gaining popularity, brands started reaching out for partnerships, hoping to capitalize on her interactions with her viewers.

Often, brand deals and sponsorships can be found cleverly integrated into Luniva’s recipes. In her first deal with Swadilo, their chili oil is an ingredient in her noodle recipe—fitting her usual food tutorial theme. Brands have taken notice of the way she puts out her sponsored videos—by not only showcasing their products but also showing viewers different ways to use them.

Luniva’s videos have caught the attention of brands even beyond the food industry, with clothing stores, hotels, and even electronic stores reaching out to her to promote their products. Some notable places/brands she has partnered with are T’s your palate, Kharayo Bakes, Summit River Lodge, Club Himalaya, Yasuda. Whether it be a cooking essential, kitchen appliance, or even a service—you can find it all on her account.

Her success—much of which she credits to consistency, her unique videography and voice overs—has paved a path for her in the media. She plans to expand her YouTube and Instagram pages, hoping to build a bigger audience for herself. When asked about her plans, Luniva answers, “If I keep on doing what I am doing, but better, I can make a job out of it in the future” She also emphasizes the need to have a healthy relationship with media, no matter how easy it is to get sucked into its deceitful glamor. Perhaps it was destiny, or just luck Luniva found herself in this field—all thanks to a TikTok that made its way to thousands of people’s FYP and hearts.