Who is Nigel Ng?

Nigel Ng, known online as mrnigelng, is a Malaysian comedian and content creator who has risen to global fame through his character "Uncle Roger," a middle-aged Asian man who critiques cooking videos with humorous, exaggerated reactions. Born on March 15, 1991, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ng has established himself as one of the most recognizable Asian comedians on social media platforms.^[1] As of May 2025, his content primarily revolves around food reviews, stand-up comedy clips, and cultural commentary delivered through his distinctive comedic lens.

Background and Early Career

Before achieving internet stardom, Nigel Ng pursued an engineering degree at Northwestern University in Illinois, where he first tried his hand at stand-up comedy.^[8] After graduation in 2014, he relocated to London and balanced performing at open mic nights while working as a data scientist.^[14] In 2019, Ng made the pivotal decision to pursue comedy full-time, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic would dramatically shift the entertainment landscape and unexpectedly catapult his career to new heights.^[2]

Comedy Foundations

Ng's formal comedy career began in Chicago comedy clubs while still studying in the United States. After moving to the UK, he quickly established himself in the competitive British comedy scene, becoming a finalist in several new act competitions including Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and winning both the Amused Moose Laugh Off (2016) and Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year (2015).^[8] This foundation in traditional stand-up provided Ng with the skills and comedic timing that would later define his viral content.

Rise to Fame with Uncle Roger

In 2020, Ng experienced a meteoric rise to fame when his reaction video to a BBC Food egg fried rice tutorial went viral. In this video, he debuted his character "Uncle Roger," a stereotypical middle-aged Asian uncle with an exaggerated accent who expressed horror at the cooking techniques demonstrated.^[2] The character, which Ng co-created with Swedish-Chinese comedian Evelyn Mok, resonated with millions worldwide, particularly among Asian diaspora communities who recognized the cultural references and mannerisms.^[14]

The Uncle Roger Persona

Uncle Roger is characterized by his orange polo shirt, distinctive sitting position, and catchphrases like "Haiyaa" (expressing disappointment) and "Fuiyoh" (expressing approval).^[10] In interviews, Ng has described the accent as "pan-Asian" rather than specifically Malaysian, explaining that he intentionally internationalized certain aspects to make the character more accessible while maintaining authentic Malaysian speech patterns.^[2] The character's judgmental yet endearing personality has struck a chord with global audiences, leading to collaborations with celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay.^[4]

Content Style and Format

Ng's content primarily falls into three categories: food reviews, stand-up comedy, and adventures/challenges.^[1] His most popular videos feature Uncle Roger reacting to cooking videos, particularly those that demonstrate non-traditional approaches to Asian cuisine. These reaction videos typically combine cultural commentary with humor, highlighting disconnects between authentic Asian cooking techniques and westernized interpretations.^[1]

YouTube Strategy

Ng maintains a consistent production schedule, typically recording his Uncle Roger videos and podcast content on Wednesdays, with Monday and Tuesday dedicated to writing and concept development, followed by editing on Thursday through Saturday.^[2] As of May 2025, his channel features 252 videos with an average length of 16.9 minutes, excluding shorts.^[12] His engagement rate stands at 3.62%, which analytics platforms classify as "Excellent" compared to similar channels.^[12]

Social Media Presence and Statistics

As of May 2025, Ng maintains an impressive multi-platform presence: YouTube: 10.3 million subscribers with 1.76 billion total views^[12] Instagram: 4.8 million followers with an engagement rate of 0.88%^[7] TikTok: 11.1 million followers with 188.7 million likes across 273 videos^[13] His YouTube channel has experienced steady growth, with a 1.19% increase in views over the 30 days preceding May 17, 2025.^[12] According to analytics platform vidIQ, Ng's estimated monthly earnings from YouTube range from $35,900 to $107,800, placing him at #691 in the Lifestyle category worldwide.^[12]

Podcasts and Collaborative Projects

Beyond his solo content, Ng co-hosts two popular podcasts. "Rice to Meet You" features Ng alongside UK-based Swedish comedian Evelyn Mok, exploring Asian culture through a comedic lens.^[5] His second podcast, "HAIYAA with Nigel Ng," which he hosts with his producer Matt, further extends his brand beyond the Uncle Roger character.^[14]

Media Appearances

Ng has appeared on several television shows including Comedy Central's "Stand Up Central," BBC Two's "Mock The Week," and ITV's "Jonathan Ross Comedy Club."^[2] He has also been featured on various news outlets including CNN, where he discussed the origins of his Uncle Roger character and its cultural impact.^[9]

Business Ventures

FUIYOH! It's Uncle Roger Restaurant

In September 2024, Ng expanded his brand into the restaurant business by opening "FUIYOH! It's Uncle Roger" in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping center in his hometown. The restaurant specializes in fried rice dishes, with prices ranging from 16 to 18 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $4-5 USD) per plate.^[10] The grand opening drew considerable crowds, with some customers reportedly waiting up to three hours for a meal.^[4] Ng has expressed ambitions to expand the restaurant internationally.^[4]

Merchandise and Collaborations

Ng has developed several revenue streams beyond content creation. He sells official merchandise through unclerogermerch.com and has collaborated with Chinese-American food brand MiLa to create Singaporean-inspired frozen Creamy Chili Crab Pasta.^[10] He also offers personalized video messages through Cameo and has a channel membership program on YouTube.^[11]

Achievements and Records

On September 14, 2024, Ng set a Guinness World Record for the largest assembly of people dressed as his Uncle Roger character. The event, which coincided with the grand opening of his restaurant, gathered 388 participants all wearing the character's signature orange polo shirt and shouting his catchphrase "Fuiyoh!"^[10] The record-breaking event received coverage from major news outlets including Reuters.^[6]

Comedy Recognition

Prior to his online fame, Ng was nominated for the Best Newcomer Award at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival for his sold-out show.^[2] His transition from traditional stand-up to digital content creator represents a successful adaptation to changing entertainment consumption patterns, particularly during and after the global pandemic.^[2]

Cultural Impact

Ng's character Uncle Roger has become a significant cultural touchpoint in discussions about Asian representation in media. As Forbes noted when discussing YouTube comedy stars, Ng's popularity stems from his ability to humorously highlight cultural differences in cooking styles, with his persona "roasting European attempts at Asian cuisine."^[3] His content appeals to a broad demographic, with his primary audience consisting of viewers aged 13-45.^[1] According to CNN's interview with Ng, his character resonates particularly strongly with Asian audiences who recognize the familiar archetype he portrays, while also attracting viewers from diverse backgrounds through his accessible humor.^[9] This cross-cultural appeal has established Ng as one of the few Malaysian entertainers with widespread influence on the global entertainment landscape.^[8]

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