Komeo faces food poisoning outbreak after festival ramen service

A mass food poisoning incident occurred following the Azabu-juban Noryo Matsuri festival held on August 22 and 23. A “chilled crab ramen” provided by chef Komeo caused 78 people, ranging in age from 1 to 61, to fall ill. Salmonella bacteria were detected in the patients' stool, and three individuals, including a 1-year-old boy, required hospitalization.

Komeo’s restaurant, Kappo Komeo, received a seven-day business suspension from September 3 to September 9. Komeo has expressed intentions to compensate those affected and has suggested that he may consider closing the restaurant permanently after the suspension period ends.

Public scrutiny has also focused on the Asakusa-based ramen shop Kanio, which Komeo co-manages with entrepreneur Yuji Mizoguchi. While the problematic chilled crab ramen was a specialty of Kanio, that establishment has continued normal operations, leading to online debate regarding the consistency of hygiene enforcement.