A popular Chinese restaurant in Madrid has been shut down after Spanish police uncovered disturbing health violations and suspected animal cruelty. The restaurant, Jin Gu, located in the Usera district, had long served a well-known “roast duck” dish—but evidence suggests customers may have unknowingly been eating pigeon instead.
After multiple complaints from neighbors about foul odors and suspicious food deliveries, police raided the restaurant in late March. According to El Mundo, officers were met with a stench that was “almost unbearable.” Inside, they found unlabeled meat and fish stored in filthy conditions, with cockroaches crawling through the kitchen. Several freezers held food with no labels, expiration dates, or traceability.
The most shocking discovery was several plucked pigeons, allegedly caught on the streets. Witnesses claimed the birds were killed by kicking before being cooked, suggesting some “roast duck” dishes may have been made with pigeon meat.
Further violations included blocked emergency exits, missing thermometers, and misplaced fire extinguishers. In a hidden room behind a bathroom shelf, police found over 300 kilograms of spoiled food, rusted freezers, meat drying on lines, and rat traps baited with raw meat. The room was coated in grease and grime.
Authorities immediately shut down Jin Gu. The owner now faces charges for public health violations, animal cruelty, and consumer fraud.
Though neighbors long suspected issues—citing foul smells—Jin Gu maintained a 4.2-star rating on Google, highlighting how appearances can be deceiving and reinforcing the need for strict food safety enforcement.
