After Enjoying Tangsuyuk and Tantanmen... Owner Says "Can't Catch Eat-and-Run Couple for Two Months"

"Left While Waitstaff Was Away"
Similar Incidents Occur Frequently
'Heukbaek Chef' Jeong Ji-seon Also Complains of 'Muktu' Damage

A couple who dined at a Chinese restaurant in Seoul left without paying. [Source=JTBC 'Sageonbanjang']

A restaurant owner complained that a customer, presumed to be a couple, committed a 'meoktwi' (dine-and-dash).

On the 28th, JTBC's 'Case Officer' revealed a report from owner A, who said they were dine-and-dashed by customers at a Chinese restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul, last August. A said, "The two people, who were in a romantic relationship, ate 44,000 won worth of food including tangsuyuk and tantanmen, then took advantage of the moment when the hall staff left their post and left without paying."

A also said, "I have reported it to the police, but the culprit has not been caught yet," and lamented, "It has already been two months." He added, "Even if it was a misunderstanding about the bill, they should have come back to pay," and "I hope they turn themselves in and pay the money."

Incidents of restaurant owners being dine-and-dashed occur regardless of time and place. Chinese cuisine expert Chef Jeong Ji-seon, who appeared on the Netflix variety show 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War,' recently revealed that a dine-and-dash incident happened at his restaurant as well. He explained, "Two mixed-gender customers ordered a set menu with additional a la carte items, then ate and ran away without paying," adding, "The damage amounted to 150,000 won."

On the 9th, a similar incident occurred at a gukbap restaurant in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. A female customer ordered gukbap, ate it, and left the store without paying. The store said, "We thought she went out to smoke or use the restroom," and added, "The store has been open for about three months, but there have already been five dine-and-dash cases."