The New York City Health Department has stepped in to shut down the restaurant accused of serving up a rat to a hungry couple.
The disgusting incident has already made international news, and it all unfolded over the weekend. Eunice Lucero-Lee and her husband, Jason Lee, ordered delivery from Manhattan’s Gammeeok, a Korean eatery. They purchased the sogogi gukbap, a Korean beef soup. They were shocked when they witnessed a dead rat floating in the dish upon its arrival. The head and tail were still attached to the small gray rodent. Lucero-Lee took photos and videos, sharing them across social media, warning people to steer clear of the restaurant. It didn’t take long for the couple to seek legal action, filing a lawsuit just days later after the manager failed to follow through with a $5,000 compensation agreement.
On Wednesday, Fabien Levy, a spokesperson with Mayor Eric Adams’ office, confirmed that the food spot was shuttered. Sources close to the Health Department said extensive rat droppings were found during the recent inspection. In addition, food was not being stored at the proper temperatures, and Gammeeok was not operating with the proper permits despite several warnings from the city. A manager on hand was also not properly trained.
Signage from the department has already been placed on the windows, informing customers that it’d been closed. There is no reopening date, but the restaurant will need to correct the many violations and pay any possible fines before servicing customers again.
