Keith Lee addresses viral sushi controversy after fans claim he ate a worm

TikTok food critic Keith Lee has responded to concerns following his viral review of FOB Sushi Bar in Seattle. The controversy began when viewers of Lee’s video, which showcased the restaurant’s buffet-style sushi sold by the pound, noticed movement in a piece of sashimi, sparking speculation that it contained a live worm. The video has since garnered over 16 million views and thousands of comments expressing alarm.

Several commenters pointed out the moment, with one writing, “At 1:50, the end of your sushi was moving,” while another added, “Keith, please tell us you’re okay—this is my biggest fear.” On Saturday, Lee subtly addressed the matter on Instagram, sharing, “I’m healthy, thank you. God bless y’all.”

FOB Sushi Bar also released a statement, denying the claims of worms in their sushi. “We follow stringent safety standards,” the restaurant stated on Instagram, adding, “The movement observed may result from the fish’s natural elasticity or pressure applied by chopsticks.” The Washington State Department of Health previously rated the establishment as satisfactory in a January inspection, confirming no violations.

Despite the controversy, Lee, currently attending ComplexCon in Las Vegas, appeared “happy and unbothered,” according to The Blast. The incident has sparked widespread discussion on TikTok, with creators dissecting the video frame by frame. FOB Sushi Bar noted an uptick in visits since Lee’s review, highlighting the influence of his platform despite the controversy.