Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
A Tokyo branch of Xin Rong Ji, a Michelin three-star restaurant specializing in Taizhou cuisine, has faced fierce backlash after a Chinese food influencer accused it of serving substandard ingredients to Chinese diners.
The controversy began when the influencer, @chapaofanpp, shared her experience on social media. She claimed that the restaurant replaced pricier ingredients, such as Pacific geoduck and Houdan chicken, with cheaper alternatives like sliced whelk and squab in a tasting menu priced at 88,000 yen (US$560).
The influencer, who has 70,000 followers, also compared her menu to another she found online and highlighted discrepancies. To her shock, she observed that Japanese diners seated nearby were served premium dishes like Chinese mitten crab and claypot rice, while she and her date only received plain white rice.
When she confronted the restaurant manager, she was told that Japanese diners were given special staple dishes due to their dietary habits and that the crab was not included because it was out of season. The influencer expressed feeling discriminated against, finding the explanations unconvincing.
Although the manager later apologized through a Chinese messaging app and offered a refund, the influencer declined the refund while accepting the apology. She also urged the restaurant to uphold its reputation by treating every customer with respect.
The incident sparked outrage online, with many criticizing the restaurant for its perceived discriminatory treatment. “Such behavior is unacceptable,” one commenter wrote. “Even with an apology, the restaurant’s reputation is already tarnished.”
Some netizens defended the restaurant, arguing that ingredient substitutions based on seasonal availability are common in fine dining. However, others countered that the quality of ingredients should remain consistent, regardless of the season or the diner’s nationality.
Xin Rong Ji, known for its meticulous service and high standards in China, opened its Tokyo branch in February 2024 to promote Chinese cuisine abroad. This controversy, however, has cast a shadow over its efforts to establish a positive reputation in Japan.
Source: SCMP
Long press or scan the QR CODE below to follow us!
