Japanese Restaurant Chain Apologizes After Rat Found in Miso Soup
A popular Japanese restaurant chain, Sukiya, has issued a public apology after a customer found a rat floating in a bowl of miso soup at its Tottori branch. The incident, which took place in January, came to light after images were posted on social media, sparking outrage.
Sukiya, which operates around 2,000 locations and is known as Japan’s leading gyudon (beef bowl) chain, admitted that a staff member failed to properly check the soup before serving it. The branch was temporarily closed for a hygiene inspection but reopened two days later after receiving clearance from local health officials.
What shocked many was the delay in addressing the issue—Sukiya only acknowledged the incident two months later, prompting accusations of trying to downplay the contamination. In response, the company apologized for the delay and announced a range of new hygiene protocols.
Among the measures taken: repairing cracks in the building to block pest entry, reinforcing staff hygiene training, and implementing strict visual inspections before food is served. Sukiya also committed to inspecting for structural vulnerabilities every three months and now stores food waste in refrigerated rooms to deter pests.
While the incident happened in Japan, it raises an uncomfortable question: could something like this happen elsewhere, including in the U.S.? With rising concerns about food safety and the power of viral images, restaurants worldwide are under more pressure than ever to maintain strict hygiene standards.
Sukiya’s swift corrective actions show how seriously they’re taking the issue—but for many, the image of a rat in soup is hard to forget. The incident serves as a reminder that when it comes to food safety, vigilance must be constant, no matter where in the world you dine.
