I went to a unagi restaurant in Gion for lunch today. It was highly rated on Google (I know, I know—tabelog is better) and got a seat that looked into the kitchen.
Everything was going really well until I saw one of the cooks repeatedly cough into his gloved palms (like almost 20 times!) and then cut up the unagi and place them into bowls for customers, one of which was mine. He never changed his gloves after his multiple bouts of coughing.
I tried to eat it but lost my appetite completely when I picked up the first piece with some rice. I got up and told the waiter that I couldn’t eat it and described what I saw. The waiter’s English was not good and he said something like it’s okay. I offered to pay and he gladly accepted.
In hindsight, maybe I should have said something sooner? Recorded the chef? Refused to pay? I just didn’t want to be that person.
by Slpamngtrs