Will Sonbuchner, known online as Sonny Side, has built a reputation as a charismatic food reviewer on his YouTube channel, The Best Ever Food Review Show. Born on 22 August 1984 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Sonbuchner has become a household name in the culinary world. His channel, launched on 14 December 2015, explores global street food and culinary cultures with humour and cultural curiosity. With millions of subscribers, Sonbuchner's content has taken viewers on a gastronomic journey across over 50 countries.
Despite his online fame, Sonbuchner's personal life remains largely private. He is married to a Vietnamese woman, whose name he has chosen not to disclose. The couple met in Vietnam, where Sonbuchner relocated to grow his content creation career. In an episode of More Best Ever Food Review Show, he revealed that he tried to impress her by sharing his early videos, describing the experience as "so cringe-worthy" in retrospect.
Sonbuchner and his wife welcomed their daughter, Layla, in December 2024. The renowned YouTuber announced her birth on Instagram with a heartfelt message, expressing his gratitude to his wife for bringing their daughter into the world. He has largely safeguarded his family's privacy, sharing limited information about Layla and his wife.
Sonbuchner's decision to keep his wife's identity private is deliberate and has not changed since before they married. She occasionally assists with behind-the-scenes filming for his YouTube channel but avoids appearing on camera. Her Vietnamese background was confirmed during Sonbuchner's appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he also shared his experiences speaking Vietnamese in Vietnam.
Before launching his YouTube channel, Sonbuchner attended Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and later enrolled in several colleges but did not complete a degree. At 24, he moved to South Korea with approximately $2,000 and taught English while teaching himself film production. This experience laid the groundwork for his future success as a YouTuber and filmmaker.
Sonbuchner's work has received formal recognition in the industry, including the Andrew Zimmern Discovery Award in 2026 and multiple Webby Awards. His channel has become the first US-owned YouTube series to receive official filming access in Iran. As of 2026, his YouTube channel continues to release regular content, exploring new culinary destinations and experiences.
In August 2026, Sonny posted a video titled "After This, I'm Quitting YouTube", clarifying that he isn't leaving the platform entirely but changing his business model. His new mission is to document food from every single country on Earth, dedicating one in-depth video per country. This new chapter in his career promises to take his audience on an even more extensive culinary journey.
Key points
- Will Sonbuchner's wife is Vietnamese, and her name remains undisclosed.
- The couple has a daughter, Layla, born in December 2024.
- Sonbuchner's YouTube channel, The Best Ever Food Review Show, has amassed millions of subscribers and continues to release regular content.
