Gammeeok, a popular Korean restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, has closed after failing a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene safety inspection.
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This follows allegations that the Korean restaurant placed a rat in a couple’s takeout order.
According to Mail Online, Gammeeok failed a health and safety inspection after inspectors allegedly discovered rat droppings inside the Midtown Manhattan establishment.
A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams told several media outlets that health officials are still investigating the restaurant and the claims.
‘Our top priority is protecting New Yorkers’ health, and if a restaurant has conditions that endanger our city’s diners, they will be closed down,’ said Fabien Levy.
The owners of Gammeeok reacted angrily to the allegations made against their restaurant, even releasing footage earlier this week of servers preparing the couple’s food and claiming the couple is lying about their accusations.
For the time being, the Korean restaurant is closed.
Health department inspectors discovered rat droppings inside the restaurant earlier this week, according to sources who spoke with TMZ.
The individuals claimed that the restaurant lacked a trained supervisor and did not keep food at the proper temperature.
The restaurant also allegedly lacked the necessary permits, despite previous warnings from Health Department officials.
Levy told the outlet in a statement that they investigated the situation immediately after hearing the disturbing allegations against the establishment.
‘No New York City restaurant is permitted to serve mice or rats on the menu, and we are looking into it further,’ Levy said.
Gammeeok’s staff will need to correct the violations and pay any potential fines if they want to reopen anytime soon.
The Health Department has shut down the restaurant, according to signs posted on the doors. Another sign indicates that they are closed for’maintenance.’
The saga began on Monday, when Eunice Lucero-Lee and husband Jason Lee shared shocking video and photos of their meal on Instagram.
The restaurant responded to the couple’s claims in a series of tweets on Wednesday, saying they don’t’make sense.’
According to the restaurant, the couple wrote a review for another Korean restaurant six years ago, alleging they discovered a “large bug” in their takeout soup, but deleted it after their post went viral.
