What customers thought was a traditional “roast duck” dish at a Chinese restaurant in Madrid turned out to be hiding something much more disturbing. Following a series of complaints, local police raided the Jin Gu restaurant in the Usera district of Spain’s capital—and what they uncovered was enough to warrant an immediate closure of the business.
The raid took place at the end of March after authorities received repeated alerts from concerned residents. What began as an investigation into possible health code violations quickly turned into something much more alarming.
Once inside, police were overwhelmed by the stench of spoiled food. One officer told local news outlet El Mundo, “Everything smelled of rotten seafood; it was almost unbearable.” But the smell was just the beginning.
Among the many violations, authorities found unlabeled meat and fish, making it impossible to verify their origin or freshness. The kitchen itself was in disarray, infested with cockroaches, and missing basic hygiene practices. And disturbingly, police discovered plucked pigeons—reportedly taken from the streets—and were told by witnesses that staff members had been seen kicking the birds to death before preparing them.
To make matters worse, eight industrial freezers were found to be full of mystery meats and seafood with no expiration or packaging labels, raising serious questions about the safety and legality of the food being served. Officials also noted that the restaurant had failed to install thermometers in the storage units, a legal requirement in Spain to ensure food is kept at safe temperatures.
But perhaps the most chilling discovery came when officers stumbled upon a hidden room—a concealed space located behind a bathroom shelf. This room wasn’t listed on any official blueprints, yet it was being used to store more than 300 kilograms (about 660 pounds) of spoiled meat inside rusted, broken-down freezers. In that same room, investigators found makeshift meat-drying lines that looked more like laundry setups, rodent traps baited with raw meat, and a kitchen exhaust fan so caked in grease it barely functioned.
The restaurant also lacked proper fire safety compliance. Fire extinguishers were installed below the legally required height, and emergency exits were partially blocked by trash bins—putting both patrons and staff at risk in the event of an emergency.
After this shocking inspection, local authorities had no choice but to shut the restaurant down immediately. The owner of Jin Gu is now under investigation for several possible crimes, including violations of public health standards, animal cruelty, and infringement of consumer protection laws.
Nearby residents weren’t surprised. Several neighbors confirmed they had made complaints in the past. One local told reporters, “None of us ever ate there. It always smelled bad, and we often saw food deliveries just sitting out in the sun on carts.” The sentiment among residents was unanimous—they had long suspected something was off.
Ironically, Jin Gu had a 4.2-star rating on Google, which left some baffled. One past diner left a review noting the “roast duck” seemed suspiciously low quality: “The duck I think is a little dry and lots of bones, not that tasty,” the person wrote in a five-year-old post. That comment, in hindsight, seems to have been a subtle red flag.
This incident has reignited conversations in Madrid about stricter restaurant inspections and more responsive food safety enforcement. While most restaurants operate within the law and maintain high standards, Jin Gu’s case shows that a few bad actors can pose real health risks to the public.
For now, the restaurant remains closed, and legal proceedings against the owner are underway. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and that more charges could be filed depending on the findings.
This disturbing case is a reminder to diners everywhere: If something seems off—whether it’s the smell, the cleanliness, or even the taste—it’s okay to trust your instincts. Sometimes what’s on your plate isn’t what you think it is.
