It left diners sleepless in Seattle.
Fob Sushi Bar’s Seattle shops have quickly shuttered after followers of meals influencer Keith Lee claimed they noticed one thing wriggling throughout Lee’s video assessment of the restaurant.
“In response to latest meals security issues, we have now determined to shut our Fob sushi places in Seattle and Bellevue till additional discover,” the uncooked fish monger announced in an Instagram post two days in the past.
The controversy was sparked on November 10 after Lee posted a video assessment of the joint for his 16.9 million followers on TikTok. He was inquisitive about Fob’s “distinctive” setup, particularly that all the sushi was served buffet-style by the pound fairly than per piece.
After sampling $15 value of sashimi (simply plain fish) and nigiri (fish over vinegared rice) — which didn’t embrace shellfish on account of his shellfish allergy — Lee gave the place an general rating of 8 out of 10. The gourmand claimed that the fish was good however the rice was barely overcooked and “gummy.”
“This totally is a spot that I’ll come again to,” concluded the TikTokker, who marveled on the affordability of such an enormous haul.
Nevertheless, Lee’s advice was tarnished shortly thereafter after reviewers claimed they observed one thing suspicious shifting about in his sushi at round two minutes into the clip.
“That fish positively moved at 1:50,” exclaimed one, whereas one other wrote, “Did anybody see that worm in that salmon!?”
Others observed that he gave the fish in query a glowing assessment. “8.5 out of 10 for the worm piece,” noticed one.
Many viewers demanded solutions from Fob, which responded in an Instagram post.
They dismissed the allegations as “false,” claiming that they observe Meals and Drug Administration requirements “to make sure the best high quality and security in each dish.”
As for the motion within the video, Fob chalked it as much as the “pure elasticity” of the fish and “the stress of the chopsticks when utilized to its construction.”
“Rumors like this may hurt small companies, so we’re addressing it head-on,” they declared. “Thanks for trusting us and supporting FOB Sushi.”
Lee subsequently uploaded a follow-up video, claiming it “did seem that one thing moved,” though he couldn’t “verify or deny” what it was.
Whereas the influencer insisted he didn’t undergo any signs, he claimed that somebody alleged they have been hospitalized after consuming on the identical chain.
“I despatched my coronary heart and my blessings to that individual,” declared Lee, who dismissed the accusations that the sushi’s peculiar actions have been his fault.
“For the restaurant to put up an announcement indicating that me holding the sushi or me holding the chopsticks a sure approach is why the sushi moved, I personally don’t agree with it,” Lee stated. “As a result of I’ve had sushi a thousand occasions, and I’ve held sushi a thousand other ways, and by no means as soon as have I seen sushi behaving that approach.”
Nevertheless, Lee reiterated that he wasn’t insinuating that the nigiri’s gyrations have been attributable to a parasite.
Fob subsequently introduced that they have been closing their Bellevue and Seattle places till additional discover and conducting a probe to unravel the incident.
“Your well being and security are our highest priorities,” they wrote on Instagram. “We’re conducting a radical investigation to handle the scenario and can take all essential measures to forestall it from taking place once more.”
They added, “We stay devoted to offering you with the best high quality earlier than.”
