Dog seen eating from plate at Katong hotpot outlet; manager says all tableware was discarded
A video showing a dog being fed directly from restaurant tableware at Shi Li Fang Hot Pot in Katong Square has sparked criticism over hygiene and dining norms, prompting the outlet to discard all affected utensils and reiterate its pet policy.
- A Shi Li Fang Hot Pot outlet at Katong Square faced public scrutiny after a dog was fed meat directly from restaurant tableware.
- The restaurant manager said all affected tableware was discarded immediately and stressed that disposable pet tableware is provided.
- The incident has reignited debate over hygiene and etiquette at pet-friendly eateries, echoing a similar controversy at a Beijing hotpot restaurant.
SINGAPORE: Pet-friendly eateries have become increasingly common, but an incident at a Shi Li Fang Hot Pot outlet at Katong Square has triggered debate over acceptable dining behaviour and hygiene standards.
The incident surfaced after an Instagram post shared on 10 September 2025 showed a pet dog being fed meat directly from a restaurant plate at the outlet’s outdoor dining area.
According to the post, written from the perspective of the dog, its owners had gone for a “sheltered walk” at Kallang before enjoying a “yummy hotpot dinner” at Katong Square.
The caption stated: “Our pawrents ordered three portions of non-marinated meat and grilled them for us,” suggesting that food ordered at the restaurant was intentionally shared with the pets.
One video clip showed a miniature dachshund standing on its hind legs on a green chair while being fed meat directly from the restaurant’s tableware.
The footage documented the dog licking and eating the meat until the plate was cleared.
Another clip in the same post showed several other dogs seated on chairs around the table, positioned near both cooked and uncooked food items.
Photos accompanying the post showed five dogs sitting on chairs and the floor, with three large plates of raw meat placed on the table.
The post quickly spread online, drawing criticism from netizens who accused the dog owner of being inconsiderate and unhygienic.
Several commenters expressed concern about food safety and the implications for other diners, particularly in a shared dining environment such as a hotpot restaurant.
According to Shin Min Daily News, a manager at the Shi Li Fang Hot Pot outlet confirmed that he was present when the incident occurred.
The manager, identified as Mr Han, said he immediately intervened upon seeing customers use restaurant plates to feed a dog.
“I immediately cleared and threw away the entire table’s tableware, because we did not know which plates had been used to feed the dog,” he said, according to the report.
Notably, the Instagram account involved has since been set to private after the incident drew attention on social media.
The hot pot outlet says customers allowed to bring pets to its outdoor seating area only
Mr Han explained that the restaurant allows customers to bring pets to its outdoor seating area.
He added that the outlet provides disposable tableware specifically for pets at no extra charge.
Given the hot weather, staff also offer ice or water for pets, he said, as part of efforts to accommodate customers dining with animals.
However, Mr Han stressed that staff routinely remind pet owners that non-disposable tableware is strictly for human diners and must not be used to feed animals.
He noted that notices are displayed at the premises to reinforce this rule.
In 2025, a viral clip in China showed dog eating from plates; restaurant shut, offered refunds and compensation
In a separate case in China, a Beijing hotpot restaurant temporarily suspended operations after a woman posted a video of her dog jumping onto a dining table and licking raw meat from restaurant plates.
The video, which went viral, showed the dog standing on the table and licking raw lamb slices meant for hotpot.
The woman filming the clip appeared amused, commenting that the dog had “licked even the bottom of the plate” and joking about how she should praise it.
The incident prompted widespread condemnation on social media, with users questioning how the dog was allowed to enter the restaurant and climb onto a dining table.
The restaurant involved, a Beijing branch of Wangyefu Nanmen Hotpot, later confirmed that the incident occurred on the night of 16 December 2025.
Management said staff intervened immediately, sealed and replaced all affected tableware, and conducted a full disinfection of the premises.
The outlet announced a temporary suspension of operations for rectification.
It also offered full refunds, along with additional compensation equal to the original bill amount, to diners who ate at the restaurant between 16 and 18 December.
The management added that a police report had been filed and that legal action would be pursued against the woman involved.
