| Todai seafood buffet restaurant in Korea has been operating here since 1985. Yonhap |
By Jung Hae-myoung
Todai Korea, the Korean outlet of a seafood chain based in Santa Monica, California, has been recycling leftover raw fish for other dishes.
According to SBS television news on Sunday, the chef of the Pyeongchon branch ordered uneaten sushi to be used for rolls and fried dishes. The order was given through group chat on Kakao talk messenger service.
SBS news showed footage of the chef cooking raw salmon from display dishes to make salmon sushi rolls. In other footage, he takes used shrimps from leftover sushi to refill rolls for next display.
The Food Sanitation Act strictly prohibits the recycling of raw fish.
| Todai CEO and Chairman Hans Kim. Courtesy of Todai |
Todai CEO Hans Kim admitted the order was issued, saying, "The head chef said the fish were too good and full of protein to be thrown away easily." Kim, a Korean American, launched the restaurant in the U.S. in 1985. There are now franchises in 44 countries.
On Monday, Todai Korea posted an official apology on the website, promising "never to reuse the leftovers."