Recently, a visitor to a Michelin-listed restaurant in China bore witness to a surprising sight, considering the location — a rat brazenly nibbling on char siew pau.
The video, which was circulated on social media platform XiaoHongShu, showed the critter enjoying access to an entire steamer of pau.
Source: 贝贝妈～0702 on XiaoHongShu
The 26-second clip depicted the rat gnawing on pau in full view of onlookers, who can be heard urging the OP to record a video.
A woman’s voice described the rat as “very big” and questioned why no staff member had noticed it.
Meanwhile, after a short pause, the rodent moved on to another pau in the set.
Source: 贝贝妈～0702 on XiaoHongShu
The establishment was identified as Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居), a dim sum chain restaurant in Guangzhou.
Source: Google Maps
Eagle-eyed netizens noted that the restaurant’s name was labelled on the stacks of steamers in the top-right corner of the video.
Source: 贝贝妈～0702 on XiaoHongShu
Tao Tao Ju’s outlet in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District is listed in the Michelin Guide for its “unmissable” double-boiled soups and dim sum.
Source: Michelin Guide
It also picked out the steamed sunflower seed-fed chicken for its “juicy flesh and springy skin”.
The authorities of Guangzhou’s Liwan District, where the outlet is located, told China’s Nanfang Daily that they dispatched officers to the restaurant after being made aware of the video.
They said the outlet had all the relevant licences, but also confirmed the veracity of the clip.
An investigation has been launched into parties suspected of food safety violations in accordance with the law, it added.
After the video went viral, Tao Tao Ju had taken steps to address the incident, it told the newspaper.
On 30 Oct, the restaurant told reporters that all food and containers that the room had been destroyed and the premises fully disinfected by a professional sanitation company.
Experts were also immediately consulted to conduct a comprehensive and detailed inspection of all restaurant areas to determine the cause of the rat infestation, including possible entry points for the pests.
They would also further improve the anti-rat measures at the outlet.
The restaurant will enhance its management to improve food safety and reassure customers. To that end, it sincerely accepts the supervision of the general public and insists on fresh ingredients and on-site food preparation.
Also read: Customer Finds Cooked Mouse In Hotpot, China Restaurant Staff Accuses Them Of Throwing It In
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Featured image adapted from 贝贝妈～0702 on XiaoHongShu.
The last time this happened was on 21 Oct.
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