OSAKA (TR) – A sushi chain has offered an apology for giving foreign diners extra amounts of the spicy condiment wasabi after critics on social media described the practice as “terrorism,” reports the Sankei Shimbun (Oct. 2).
On Monday, the web site of chain Ichibazushi, which is operated by Fujii Shokuhin, issued an apology for the extra wasabi, as much as 1.5 times the normal amount, provided to foreigner customers at a branch in the Namba entertainment area of Osaka.
“Due to a very large demand for added amounts of wasabi from overseas customers, it was provided without prior confirmation free of charge,” the statement read. “But for customers who don’t like wasabi a feeling of unpleasantness developed.”
According to the report, the request for extra wasabi came from visitors from South Korea.
On social media, critics deemed the practice as “wasabi terrorism” and “harassment toward foreigners who are not familiar with the language.”
A representative of Fujii Shokuhin denied that discrimination on the part of Ichibazushi employees had taken place. “That is not factual,” the person is quoted.