The Japanese restaurant Sukiya Akishima Ekiminami has reported that its branches will remain temporarily closed after a rat was found in the food provided to customers. The chain apologized and assured that it is already working to eliminate the pest.
In a statement, the company stated that several customers filed complaints due to the incident, and as a result, they were refunded the price of the product, and the actual product was retrieved.
“We sincerely apologize to our customers who filed complaints for the great distress and inconvenience caused. We would also like to apologize once again to our regular customers and related parties who use Sukiya for the significant inconveniences and concerns caused,” the statement said.
Sukiya Restaurants Temporarily Closed
Following the presence of the pest, the Japanese restaurant voluntarily suspended its operations starting Friday, March 28. Although the company detailed that the incident occurred in January of this year, it mentioned that it is currently conducting on-site investigations at the stores in question and testing the “foreign objects” removed from the market in an effort to quickly identify the cause of contamination.
“We take the fact that this incident occurred very seriously, even though the contamination by foreign objects happened at another store in January 2025. We take this situation seriously and have decided to temporarily close all Sukiya stores, except for some located in shopping centers,” the company explained.
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How Long Will Sukiya Restaurants Be Closed?
According to the company’s statement, the chain’s branches will remain closed from Monday, March 31, to Friday, April 4, in order to take measures to prevent the intrusion of pests and vermin and their establishment within the stores.
It was mentioned that a professional pest control company came on Monday to carry out extermination work, and the company is confident the issue will be resolved within the stipulated time.
What is Sukiya?
Sukiya is a well-known Japanese fast-food chain, famous for its beef rice bowls and Gyudon curry. It is a subsidiary of the conglomerate Zensho Holdings and currently has 1,970 restaurants in Japan and approximately 650 international establishments in various countries worldwide.
Since its inception, the Japanese restaurant has been characterized by offering a wide variety of dishes at affordable prices and in different sizes. Additionally, customers have the option to complement their meals with miso soup, salad, and a variety of rice bowls and side dishes.
What is the Origin of the Name Sukiya?
It is believed that the name comes from a meat stew that began to be consumed in Yokohama during the Meiji era. Gyudon is essentially a dish seasoned similarly to gyunabe (sukiyaki). Since the chain was founded in Yokohama, it was inspired by sukiyaki to choose the name “Sukiya” for its restaurant.
Is Japanese Food Popular in the United States?
In the United States, Japanese restaurants make up 28% of all Asian restaurants, making it the second most popular Asian cuisine in the country.
In Which U.S. State Is the Best Sushi Served?
According to Yelp’s “Top 100 Sushi Spots” ranking, which highlights the best places to enjoy nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls in the United States, the state of California is home to some of the best sushi restaurants in the country.
What is the Most Famous Japanese Food?
The most famous Japanese food is undoubtedly ramen. This noodle soup is one of the most popular and affordable dishes in Japan, making it especially consumed by university students.
