Nearly 2,000 Sukiya Restaurants Shut Down After Rat and Bug Found in Food.

Japan’s Largest Beef Bowl Chain Takes Emergency Action After Food Contamination.

Sukiya, one of Japan’s most beloved fast-food chains, is in crisis. The gyudon giant, known for its affordable beef bowls and fast service, has shut the doors on almost all of its restaurants — nearly 2,000 locations — after back-to-back food contamination scares that sparked a wave of public concern.

Two Disturbing Incidents, Weeks Apart

The most recent trouble started on March 28, when a customer at Sukiya’s Akishima Ekiminami location in Tokyo found part of a cockroach in their takeout meal. The store immediately closed and is undergoing pest extermination.

But the issue runs deeper. Back in January, a customer at another branch, this time in Tottori, found an entire rat floating in their bowl of miso soup. A photo of the grim discovery made its way online and circulated for weeks before the company formally addressed it.

“Deepest Apologies” — And a Full-Scale Shutdown

In a statement released over the weekend, Sukiya apologized for what it called the "great pain and inconvenience" caused. They didn't mince words: the incidents were serious, the public deserved better, and the company would do whatever it takes to fix it.

As a result, nearly all Sukiya stores will remain closed for four full days — from Monday, March 31 at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, April 4 at the same time — to allow for cleaning, pest control, and internal inspections. A handful of locations inside shopping malls will stay open, but the rest are on pause.

Why the Delay in Addressing the Rat Incident?

The company came under fire for staying silent about the January rat incident for weeks, even as the photo gained traction online. Sukiya only confirmed the event in late March, explaining that an employee had failed to visually inspect the miso soup before serving it.

According to the company, the contaminated product was immediately refunded and collected. No other customers were affected — but the damage to public trust was already done.

Taking a Hard Look at Food Safety

Sukiya says it’s taking this situation seriously. Pest control teams have been brought in, and management is reviewing all food handling protocols. The chain is also investigating how both incidents occurred and what can be done to prevent similar failures in the future.

The chain, owned by Zensho Holdings, is a major player in Japan’s fast-food scene. Sukiya has nearly 2,000 restaurants in Japan and hundreds more overseas, including branches in China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Brazil. It’s a name that, until now, many associated with comfort food and reliability.

Social Media Apology: “We Take This Seriously and Sincerely”

In an effort to calm public outrage, Sukiya took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a direct apology to customers.

“We take this situation seriously and sincerely,” the company wrote. “All stores except for a few will be closed… and we will do our utmost to maintain a safe and clean environment.”

Can Sukiya Win Back Trust?

The big question now is whether Sukiya can bounce back — or if this is the beginning of a long reputational decline. Is this just a couple of isolated mishaps, or does it point to deeper problems in how the company manages food safety?

Legal concerns may not be far behind. Health and safety regulators are likely watching closely, and any future incidents could bring heavy consequences. And then there’s the customer base — how many people will feel comfortable going back?

With competitors like Yoshinoya ready to swoop in, Sukiya doesn’t have much room for error. Their next steps will need to be more than just apologies — they’ll need to rebuild confidence, one bowl at a time.

🤔 People Also Ask

Why did Sukiya close its restaurants?
Sukiya shut down nearly 2,000 locations after two separate contamination incidents: a rat was found in miso soup at one store in January, and part of a cockroach was discovered in a takeout order at another location in March.

When will Sukiya reopen?
Most stores are scheduled to reopen on Friday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m. Some locations inside shopping malls may remain open during the cleaning period.

Is it safe to eat at Sukiya now?
Not yet. Sukiya is currently conducting pest control and internal safety inspections. The company says it won’t reopen stores until food safety can be fully assured.

Did Sukiya confirm the rat incident?
Yes. Although the incident happened in January and went viral online, Sukiya didn’t officially confirm it until late March. They cited employee error in failing to check the soup before serving it.

How many locations are affected?
Nearly all of Sukiya’s domestic stores — close to 2,000 across Japan — have been temporarily closed. Only a few branches located in shopping centers remain open.

Stay Updated as the Story Develops

Sukiya is expected to share updates through its website and social media channels. Customers are encouraged to check for reopening announcements, and for steps the company is taking to rebuild food safety standards from the ground up.

This isn’t just about cleaning up kitchens — it’s about restoring public faith in one of Japan’s most iconic fast-food brands.

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