Fob Sushi Bar in Seattle has temporarily closed its locations following a significant controversy sparked by food influencer Keith Lee. The decision came after viewers of Lee’s viral TikTok video claimed to have seen something wriggling in the sushi he reviewed.
On November 10, Lee shared his experience at Fob Sushi, where sushi is served buffet-style by weight instead of individual pieces. He rated the restaurant an 8 out of 10, praising the fish but criticizing the rice for being slightly overcooked. However, around two minutes into the video, some viewers spotted an unusual movement in the sushi, with comments highlighting it as a potential health concern.
In a swift response, Fob Sushi took to Instagram to announce their temporary closure for “food safety concerns” and to conduct an investigation. Lee remarked that he found it unreasonable for the restaurant to blame the movement on how he held the sushi or chopsticks, stating that he had experienced sushi numerous times without encountering such issues.
Fob Sushi clarified that they follow FDA standards in food safety and dismissed the allegations as false, attributing the movement to the fish’s "natural elasticity." They stressed the importance of maintaining their reputation and addressing these concerns directly.
After the initial backlash, Lee also reported hearing claims from others who allegedly experienced health issues after patronizing the restaurant, prompting Fob Sushi’s decision to initiate a thorough inquiry while prioritizing customer health and safety.