Restaurant Claims 'Lettuce Straw' After Customer Finds Suspected Cockroach Legs in Poke Bowl

A customer in Taichung has reported a disturbing food safety incident after allegedly finding what looked like cockroach legs in her poke bowl. The customer, identified as Jasmine, purchased three poke bowls from a popular restaurant in the central district on August 22. While eating her takeout dinner, she felt a "prickly" sensation in her mouth and discovered what she believed to be a cockroach leg.

Her family later examined the remaining food and reportedly found more suspected cockroach legs and antennae. When presented with the findings, the restaurant staff attributed the foreign objects to "straw from the lettuce."

This is not the first time the restaurant has faced hygiene complaints. Another customer, Babalala, criticized the establishment, stating, "Looking at this, it's clearly a cockroach leg, not straw. The restaurant is quite good at making excuses. I ate here before and didn't expect the hygiene to be this bad."

The Taichung City Department of Health and Food Safety has launched an investigation into the matter. Officials emphasized that food businesses must maintain sanitary operating environments to prevent pest infestations. The department will conduct further inspections and has ordered the restaurant to improve its hygiene within a specified period. Failure to comply could result in a fine of NT$60,000 or more.