A Korean barbecue restaurant in Wan Chai has been fined HK$12,000 (US$1,530) because the powerful smell of its tender cooked meat repeatedly upset neighbors.
According to Sing Tao Daily, the New Korean BBQ Restaurant has now been prosecuted three times by the Environmental Protection Department because of the meaty waft emanating from its Lockhart Road eatery.
The department first received complaints from neighbors troubled by the potent smell of barbecue in 2015.
The venue was ordered to install air pollution control facilities to lessen the aroma. For two years, they failed to do so.
Following a court ruling on Monday, the owners will now have to fork over the hefty fine on top of installing the odor-control system by the end of the month for failing to deal will the “smell disturbance.”
The city’s Air Pollution Control Ordinance prescribes fines of up to HK$500,000 (US$64,000) and a maximum 12 month jail sentence for companies or individuals that violate the regulations.
The New Korean BBQ Restaurant started business 21 years ago. It now has two other eateries in Prince Edward and Sai Wan.
Specializing in barbecue buffets, the restaurant is well known for its large portions of food and scores a 3.5 out of 5 on popular local dining guide OpenRice.
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