After a brief hiatus triggered by a viral TikTok video, FOB Sushi is back in business. The restaurant, which closed its Seattle and Bellevue locations following uproar over a potential food safety issue, announced its reopening set for Tuesday. A contentious TikTok by prominent food reviewer Keith Lee, which has amassed more than 21 million views, left users questioning the presence of a worm in his meal—a claim that was never substantiated.
In a statement sourced by MyNorthwest, FOB Sushi addressed the incident, explaining that "the movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks when applied to its structure." They reassured customers that the perceived movement was not an indication of worms or health risks. Meanwhile, Lee, the influencer at the center of the controversy, remarked on his health and well-being following the meal and extended well wishes to the restaurant.
Despite the unsettling claims, it's a clean bill of health for FOB Sushi as the local health department awarded the establishment a perfect score of zero on January 30, according to KOMO News. This score signifies no violations were found, a testament to the sushi bar's commitment to maintaining rigorous food safety standards. FOB Sushi originally responded to the allegations by declaring them "entirely false."
While Lee's role in sparking this incident cannot be overstated, the ensuing sequence of events paints a picture quite counter to the crisis. Lee himself hasn't attested to finding a worm in his meal, rather he assured his followers of his good health, which was reflected in a follow-up contact with FOB Sushi, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle. As FOB Sushi turns a new leaf, patrons returning to its locations can expect a renewed focus on quality assurance, one that has been rigorously inspected, and perhaps, will be more closely watched by the sushi-loving public than ever before.
