From Viral Controversy to Reopening Delight
Reopening Details
FOB Sushi is excited to announce the reopening of their Bellevue and Seattle locations on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd at 11 a.m. After a brief, voluntary closure, they have meticulously reviewed their supply chain, food suppliers, food storage, and safety protocols. All ingredients are confirmed to be safe for consumption, in compliance and up to code. They are eager to serve delicious sushi once again.
The decision to close was their own, not a requirement from Public Health. They wanted to ensure there was no risk to their loyal patrons. King County health inspectors visited the restaurant the day before Thanksgiving and found no code violations.
About the Viral Incident
The popular sushi restaurant closed after TikTok food influencer Keith Lee posted a video reviewing the food. Followers believed they saw the food move before he ate it, causing concern that a worm might be in the food. Whether a worm was actually present was never confirmed.
In an official statement, FOB Sushi explained that the movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks. They assured customers that this was not an indication of worms or any health concerns.
Keith Lee, a 27-year-old former MMA fighter and one of the biggest "food influencers" with over 17 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has a significant impact on restaurants. According to Bon Appétit, favorable reviews by him can lead to a significant bump in traffic, sales, and overall popularity. If his reviews are less positive, the opposite can happen. This phenomenon is known as the "Keith Lee Effect."
Lee also never confirmed or denied if there was a worm in his food but assured his followers that he was fine health-wise after eating there. He also contacted the restaurant to send his well wishes.