Sushi Scam: The QR-Code Buffet That Took Off
Ever had a lunch photo that turns into a prank? That’s exactly what happened to a sushi-loving guy in Hong Kong last Saturday.
What Went Down
A man in Tseung Kwan O posted a snapshot in a Genki Sushi fan group on Facebook. The photo showed a plate of perfectly sliced sushi, a few empty plates, and, crucially, the QR code used to order items in the restaurant.
Instead of just bragging about his meal, his fellow foodies decided to pull a prank.
How the PRANK Unfolded
- Netizens scanned the QR code using their phones, just like regular customers would.
- They entered an order that included several more plates of sushi than what the original photo showed.
- The restaurant received the order in real time and dropped the extra plates right onto his table.
Why It Worked
- QR codes at Genki Sushi store a cluster of menu items that can be customized by the user.
- The code saw in the photo was just a placeholder—no one could tell it wasn’t already set to the “default” selection.
- Online users could decode it almost instantly, making the prank feel spontaneous.
Takeaway for Food Lovers
When you share a look at your lunch on social media, double-check that any embedded QR code really belongs to you. Otherwise, you might get more food than you bargained for—like a sushi buffet in the middle of your living room!
When QR Codes Turn Into a Buffet of Laughs (and a Huge Bill)
The story started with a simple photo shared on a local sushi group. Little did the uploader know that the picture would spark a domino‑effect of digital orders, much like a viral meme that refuses to dissolve.
How the Chaos Unfolded
- The first click: One unlucky man opened a QR code thinking it was a regular tea order and instead triggered a full‑blown sushi feast for an entire group.
- The ripple: Within moments, friends began adding random items to the tab—tuna rolls, spicy tuna, and a marathon of sashimi—making the restaurant’s online system run as if there had been a sudden festival.
- Out of stock? Yes, but no crisis: Some items vanished from the menu, leaving people scrambling to grab their favorite flavors.
Hung Chan’s Masterful Record‑Keeping
While the chaos was in motion, Hung Chan, another diligent sushi aficionado, stepped in with a screen recording. He neatly captured every item added via the QR code, providing a replay‑proof list for anyone who was curious about the exact contents of the invoice.
Accompanying the video was a snapshot of the purchase receipt, showcasing a staggering HK$10,128 (roughly $1,767) that represented the combined cost of spaghetti of mischief!
Restaurant to the Rescue
One might imagine that the restaurant would be tempted to bill the unsuspecting gentleman at that jackpot amount. Thankfully, the sushi crew showed a dash of goodwill and let the pranksters use the jam-packed bill as a souvenir—no charges incurred.
Teaching a New QR Lesson
Following the incident, the sushi community in Hong Kong reached a gentle consensus: keep your QR codes private and gamified. The group’s subsequent posts featured sly captions warning that sharing such codes was akin to handing over a free pizza party—albeit for sushi—and sometimes losing out on your friends’ desserts.
In a world where a simple screenshot can trigger a revenue whirlwind, it’s a humorous reminder that technology may be fun, but a little caution does save everyone’s stomach—and wallet.
Sushi Shenanigans: The Great Salmon‑Name Coup
Why Changing Your Name Beats Dropping Cash at the Cashier
Back in March, a wave of culinary creativity crashed onto Taiwanese shores. 150 students steered their legal documents toward a single, shiny goal: the name “Salmon.” Why? Because a slick Japanese restaurant had opened a free‑meal promotion, rewarding anyone whose name contained the Chinese characters for “salmon” (鲑鱼).
- Military‑grade dedication. Each youngster filed paperwork, drove to the local registry, and legally became “Salmon.” No sushi on the nose? No problem.
- Names that wow. Beyond plain “Salmon,” some creatives went for flair: “Explosive Good‑Looking Salmon,” “Meteor Salmon King,” and the ever‑bold “Grand Chief Sauce Salmon of the Moon.”
- Free sushi buffet. The restaurant, with a generous streak, handed out plates of rice, sashimi, and avocado—just for the name match.
Now, if you think this is a lone, quirky incident, think again. This marks only the third time sushi’s “name‑gate” gimmicks have popped up in Asia. It’s a strange mix of humor, ambition, and a pinch of daring—showing that if you’ll literally change your name, at least enjoy a bite on the house.
So whether you’re a foodie, a prankster, or just curious, the next time you hear about a “Salmon” offer, remember: the recipe’s not just in the bowl—it’s also in your name.
