"Never once have I seen sushi behave in that way"— Keith Lee Fob Sushi drama explained as restaurant closes over worm video
FOB Sushi Bar in Seattle recently found themselves in a plight when Keith Lee, the popular food critic, posted a video on TikTok on November 10, 2024, and several netizens pointed out a worm moving in his sushi.
As the restaurant started receiving massive backlash from internet users, they acknowledged the situation and released a statement claiming that it might be the meat moving and not a worm.
“At FOB Sushi, we are committed to upholding the highest health and safety standards to provide clean, fresh, and safe food for every customer... Regarding the video, the movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks when applied to its structure," the restaurant stated.
As concern grew among the masses, Keith Lee finally released his statement through a TikTok video, where he also shared the news that someone allegedly visited FOB one day after him and was hospitalized due to the restaurant’s food.
He then went on and slammed the restaurant’s claims, stating that he has held sushi many different ways but has not experienced anything like this before.
“I’ve had sushi a thousand times, and I’ve held sushi a thousand different ways, and never once have I seen sushi behaving that way. Again, that’s not me saying it was a worm or it was a parasite, I’m just saying it was nothing that I did on my end. I was literally just eating as a customer. As a customer, I shouldn’t be the one getting blamed if it was something moving in the food," Lee added.
Due to the fiasco and intense backlash, the FOB Sushi Bar then announced on Monday, November 18, that they had closed their Seattle and Bellevue locations "until further notice" as the matter was being investigated.
Furthermore, WUSA9 reported that the King County Department of Health has also confirmed that they are looking into the matter, along with the various complaints received by patrons.
“I absolutely think there’s accountability that should be taken”: Keith Lee’s statement explored as he assures the masses that he is fit and fine
As the backlash grew, several netizens were also left concerned for Keith Lee, who then hopped on social media on Sunday, November 17, 2024, and assured the masses that he was fine after eating the sushi. He also spoke about a person, who visited the day after him, falling sick, saying that the restaurant should take full accountability for what happened.
"I don't believe in tearing down any business, but at the same time, people's health are on the line. If somebody’s sitting in the hospital and something is moving in the food, I absolutely think there’s accountability that should be taken and it's something you can learn from," Keith Lee said.
Pushing back on the restaurant’s explanation, Lee added:
“For the restaurant to post a statement indicating that me holding a sushi or holding the chopsticks in a certain way is why the sushi moved, I personally don't agree with it... I personally wish that they would come out to be more accountable about it. Nonetheless, the only thing that I can do, is control what I do, and I'm coming out and saying I’m okay, and I pray for the lady who is in the hospital."
Furthermore, WUSA9 also reported that the Washington State Department of Health inspected the FOB Sushi Bar back in January, and at that time, they found no violations. Due to the same, the restaurant was given a decent rating. However, the matter is now being investigated. The King County Public Health also released a statement via KING 5 on Monday, November 18, 2024, and said:
"The Food Safety Program received complaints in response to the video circulating over the weekend about FOB Sushi Bar. Today, the area health inspector attempted to conduct an inspection, however, the food establishment was closed. We will follow up with the restaurant regarding their adherence to the relevant food safety measures."
On the other hand, the backlash for the restaurant continues, as many netizens continue to share their opinions and stories regarding the Sushi Bar.