Blue-ringed octopus in shabu hot pot


Shabu-shabu is enjoyed in Thailand as a popular meal for gatherings with friends and family. People peg it as a great after-work/school place to satisfy their dinner cravings.

That being said, recent news of diners finding unclean meat or potentially harmful food items have been going around. This has made shabu lovers worried about eating their beloved dish.

Here’s another situation that shabu eaters hope never occurs. A customer found a blue-ringed octopus in the shabu pot and his friend, who had eaten one, was rushed to a hospital.


Blue-ringed octopus shocks shabu-shabu diners


blue-ringed octopusImage credit: โจ ท่าจีน via Facebook

One Facebook user posted pictures of the blue-ringed octopus he found in his shabu-shabu hot pot in a Facebook group to ask if it was a blue-ringed octopus. Many people came to confirm that it was truly a blue-ringed octopus, a venomous species of octopus.

He mentioned that his friend had eaten it. He even confronted the the restaurant’s employees who denied it at first and claimed they had a QC process for food materials.

His friend was then rushed to the hospital after realising he had eaten blue-ringed octopuses. It was reported that he had symptoms of headache and nausea afterwards.

blue-ringed octopus
Image credit: กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลและชายฝั่ง via Facebook

The story became viral shocking news, and many people confirmed it was a blue-ringed octopus, which can be deadly if eaten.

However, the restaurant later contacted the man to take responsibility.


Netizens express worries


blue-ringed octopus
Screenshot: Jessada Denduangboripant via Facebook 

Translation: If you fail to notice it, you might go to heaven.


Screenshot: Jessada Denduangboripant via Facebook 

Translation: The restaurant acted suspicious, destroying the evidence.


Screenshot: Jessada Denduangboripant via Facebook

Translation: That was obviously an blue-ringed octopus.


A scary incident for shabu-shabu eaters


Whether you are a regular shabu-shabu eater or not, this surely sounds concerning as it can happen to any of us when eating out. Restaurants should have a better way to ensure their food materials and ingredients are clean and safe for all consumers.

Lastly, we hope the man’s friends are doing okay and recover fast from any symptoms they’ve gotten from eating the octopus. It’s safe to say we should be more careful when eating food from now on.

Also, check out a delivery rider getting ฿20 from hearing to a grandma singing, a teacher who saves snakes from bullies, and an uncle who surprises his wife with gold accessories.


Cover image adapted from: โจ ท่าจีน via Facebook and กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลและชายฝั่ง via Facebook

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