Cooking Food While Blowing Out Cigarette Smoke... "They Sell That?" Netizens Outraged

Smoking While Cooking... "Can't Order Delivery Anymore" Shocking

Employees were caught smoking while preparing food at a restaurant in Gumi, Gyeongbuk.
[Photo by BobaeDream]

At a restaurant in Gumi, Gyeongbuk, employees were caught cooking food with cigarettes in their mouths.

On the 25th, an online community called 'BobaeDream' posted an article titled 'Gumi cooking while smoking.' The author of the post shared several photos, saying, "What do you all think about smoking while cooking? I don't think I can order delivery food anymore."

The released photos show a female employee, presumably a restaurant worker, exhaling white smoke from her mouth while frying food. Another employee is seen with arms crossed and a cigarette in their mouth. There is a risk that cigarette ash could fall into the food or that the cigarette ember could fall into the fryer, causing the oil to explode.

Netizens who saw the post reacted strongly, saying things like, "A lot of cigarette ash must be falling," "Reveal the restaurant name immediately," "Please let us know where this is," "There are probably quite a few places that cook while smoking," "If you order delivery, give up on hygiene," "It's hard to find a clean restaurant," "I'll just cook at home," "I should delete the delivery app," and "The kitchen looks dirty at a glance."

Meanwhile, according to the National Health Promotion Act, smoking is completely banned in all restaurants, pubs, and cafes. Accordingly, a fine of 500,000 KRW is imposed for the first violation, 1,000,000 KRW for the second, and 1,500,000 KRW for the third and subsequent violations. Additionally, if restaurant employees do not wear masks, a fine of up to 3,000,000 KRW may be imposed under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.