A Japanese restaurant in Taipei, reputed to be “notoriously difficult to book,” has recently come under public criticism after a diner alleged that, during a meal on April Fools’ Day, the sushi chef behind the counter was intoxicated while serving food. The diner described the chef as having a vacant expression, speaking incoherently, and repeatedly asking for alcohol—going so far as to take drinks from customers. The sushi rice reportedly fell apart in his hands, the fish collapsed, and he struggled to hold his knife steadily. The situation became increasingly chaotic, and a colleague ultimately had to step in to take over.
Out of curiosity, the diner continued to sample the food but found it “overly sour, salty, and thick,” making it difficult to consume. The diner further stated that they felt offended by the chef’s conduct and nearly left without completing the meal. They also criticised the restaurant for charging TWD4,500 (about SGD180) per person despite employing a chef who behaved in such an unprofessional and undignified manner, leaving them feeling only disappointment and anger.
Following the incident, the restaurant’s listing on Google Maps was reportedly renamed “The Drunken, Stubbly Chef.” Many netizens expressed concern over the establishment’s hygiene standards, citing issues such as mouldy rice containers, the chef touching his hair with bare hands, trays of sea urchin being placed directly on customers’ dining plates, and staff not wearing masks or tying up their hair. Some even alleged that the chef “behaves like this regularly,” with one commenter remarking that it was the only restaurant where they had ever felt anger while dining.