Sukiya, Japan’s largest gyudon chain, has officially apologized after confirming rumors of a rat carcass found in their miso soup. The rumor started about two months ago on social media, causing concern until Sukiya addressed it on their website on the 22nd of this month.
The incident originated from a Google review of a Sukiya branch in Tottori Prefecture, where a customer claimed to find a dead rat in their miso soup when they ordered a breakfast set on January 21st. The review quickly garnered attention and sparked skepticism about the photo’s authenticity, but Sukiya eventually verified it was true.
Sukiya’s website detailed that a customer at one of their stores noticed foreign matter in their miso soup on the morning of January 21, and a staff member confirmed it visually. The investigation revealed that the contamination likely occurred during the preparation process when ingredients were distributed into bowls, and staff failed to check the soup before serving it.
Sukiya assured that no other customers received contaminated products and attributed the issue to the store’s building structure and surrounding environment, promising to enhance pest and harmful organism prevention measures.
Following the incident, the branch was temporarily closed, undergoing hygiene inspections and renovations to seal any possible entry points for contaminants. Sukiya acknowledged the delay in publicizing the incident, which led to incomplete and indirect information spreading, causing customer anxiety and concern. They offered a deep apology to all customers and stakeholders.
Sukiya, a leading gyudon chain, operates nearly 2,000 stores across Japan as of March last year, renowned for its variety and affordable menu. This incident follows a similar case in November 2023, when a frog was found in food at Saizeriya, a popular Italian restaurant chain in Japan.