A pregnant diner has described her horror of finding a dead rat in her half-eaten lunch at a popular Japanese restaurant.
The woman was enjoying a katsudon meal at Tatsuya West Ryde in north-west Sydney on Tuesday when she noticed the rodent in her side salad.
She posted a scathing one star Google review online, along with a photo of the rat on a napkin covered in salad.
The woman claimed the restaurant continued serving other customers afterwards.
‘Just absolutely revolting and unacceptable,’ it read.
‘Everyone who was present at the time stood up and left restaurant.
‘What’s even more shocking is that they continued to serve food to other customers that had just arrived and weren’t aware of what happened when really they should have closed immediately.
‘One star is being generous.’
A pregnant diner was horrified to discover the rat (pictured) in a side salad ordered from the popular West Ryde restaurant
The owner of Tatsuya West Ryde apologised for the incident and launched an investigation
The review sparked a response from the restaurant, who claimed an investigation was underway.
‘We sincerely apologise for this incident,’ they wrote.
‘The issue originated from a delivered salad box which we are currently investigating with our supplier and local food authorities.
‘We are taking all necessary steps to prevent such incidents and appreciate your understanding.’
Customers quickly inundated the Japanese restaurant with negative reviews, including a friend of the woman who was dining with her on Tuesday.
‘Don’t even think I should be giving a star considering what happened today,’ she wrote.
Another customer who was there on Tuesday claimed they missed out on the miso soup that came with their meal as a result of the incident.
‘Went to pick up my take away teriyaki chicken which clearly says in menu that it comes with miso soup only to be told that miso soup is not included with purchase,’ they wrote.
The pregnant diner posted a scathing Google Review after the ‘absolutely revolting’ discovery
‘Most people read food menu with inclusions not special conditions on last page.
‘I felt cheated… Now after learning that they served (a) dead rat on customer’s plate I’m definitely not going back there!’
Others questioned the restaurant’s explanation.
‘Imagine shifting the blame your salad supplier. You’d have to be blind to not spot a rodent in a side dish,’ one wrote.
Two days later after the incident, Tatsuya West Ryde remained open on Thursday.
The restaurant owner confirmed to Nine News that an investigation was underway.
The restaurant is now ‘taking necessary steps to prevent such incidents’
‘Google reviews are based on personal opinions, not verified facts,’ they said.
‘An incident did occur, and the cause is currently under investigation.
‘We have responded to the incident appropriately and are continuing to follow up with additional measures.’
Daily Mail Australia contacted Tatsuya West Ryde for comment.
