FOB Sushi Bar Reopens After Viral Incident, Reinforcing Commitment to Food Safety and Community Trust
A Seattle-area sushi establishment is set to welcome back customers following a two-week voluntary closure prompted by a viral social media incident. FOB Sushi Bar, with locations in both Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, will resume operations Tuesday morning after conducting a comprehensive review of their food safety protocols.
The temporary shutdown began November 18th after a TikTok video by prominent food critic Keith Lee raised concerns about possible parasitic activity in the restaurant’s raw fish. Lee, who boasts over 16 million followers on the platform, shared footage of his Seattle dining experience that garnered more than 21 million views, with viewers claiming to spot movement suggesting the presence of a worm in his sushi.
Initially, FOB Sushi defended its practices, stating on Instagram that the apparent movement was due to “natural elasticity in the fish” and expressed concern about the potential impact of such allegations on their small business. However, the establishment subsequently decided to temporarily cease operations to investigate the matter thoroughly.
During the closure, Public Health – Seattle and King County conducted an inspection on November 27th, finding no violations of food safety regulations. The restaurant provided documentation confirming proper parasite destruction procedures for their fish products. The Belltown location, where Lee’s controversial meal was purchased, maintains an “excellent” rating – the highest possible designation in the agency’s four-tier food safety system.
Health officials are scheduled to perform an additional unannounced inspection after the reopening, with FOB Sushi expressing full cooperation with the agency’s protocols. While Lee himself reported no illness from his meal, the incident sparked further controversy when another TikTok user claimed his girlfriend required hospitalization after dining at the establishment following Lee’s visit.
Lee, a Texas-based social media personality, later commented that while he didn’t intend to damage any business’s reputation,
accountability was necessary if patrons were experiencing illness. In response to the situation, FOB Sushi has conducted a thorough evaluation of their entire operation, including supply chain procedures, food supplier relationships, storage practices, and safety protocols.
The restaurant issued a statement confirming that all their
ingredients meet safety standards and comply with regulatory requirements. “We have thoroughly reviewed our restaurant’s supply chain, food suppliers, food storage, and safety protocols, and confirmed that all ingredients are safe for consumption, in compliance and up to code,” the establishment announced via email and their Instagram platform.
The incident highlights the significant impact social media can have on local businesses, particularly in the food service industry where consumer trust is paramount. FOB Sushi has expressed gratitude to the Seattle community for their support during this challenging period, acknowledging the importance of maintaining high food safety standards while rebuilding customer confidence.
The restaurant’s reopening represents the conclusion of a
comprehensive internal review process and successful cooperation with local health authorities, though the establishment will continue to operate under standard health department oversight, including future unannounced inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with food safety regulations.
