SEATTLE — FOB Sushi is reopening its two locations after a two-week closure following an online controversy stemming from a visit from TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee.
The small business closed its doors on Nov. 18 after online viewers claimed they spotted a "worm" in a piece of sushi in one of Lee's videos when he reviewed FOB Sushi in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.
The Bellevue and Seattle FOB Sushi restaurants are set to reopen at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Lee, who has more than 16.8 million followers on TikTok, visited Seattle and stopped by several restaurants in mid-November. Lee taste-tests 10 rolls, including a Hamachi sushi roll. Some viewers say they spotted a movement at the end of the piece of yellowtail fish before Lee takes a bite.
The video has been viewed over 21 million times on TikTok and sparked thousands of comments online.
The restaurant issued a statement about the video, saying, "The movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks when applied to its structure. We want to assure our customers that this is not indicative of worms or any health concerns."
Lee then posted a video saying he wanted to acknowledge FOB Sushi Bar's response after seeing another TikTok from a man who claims his girlfriend was hospitalized after eating at the same restaurant.
"I don't believe in tearing down any business, but at the same time, people's health are on the line," Lee said. "For the restaurant to post a statement saying that me holding a sushi or holding the chopsticks in a certain way is why the sushi moved, I personally don't agree with it.”
Lee’s response video to the restaurant's statement amassed over 31 million views. On Nov. 18, the restaurant closed both locations “until further notice.”
According to the Washington State Department of Health, FOB Sushi Bar was inspected in January and had no health violations. It received a Satisfactory rating.
“After a brief, voluntary closure, 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, and we look forward to serving you delicious sushi once again,” the business owners said in a statement on Monday.
Public Health - Seattle and King County visited FOB Sushi on Nov. 27. A Public Health spokesperson told KING 5 that no food code violations were found and that the restaurant owners were "fully cooperative with our investigation."
Investigators will return to the restaurant unannounced on a later date for a full routine inspection once food is being served again.
“The decision to temporarily close was our own and not a requirement of Public Health, but we felt it necessary to evaluate and ensure there was no risk to our loyal patrons,” the owners’ statement continued.
KING 5's Alex Didion contributed to this story.