Restaurant owner erupts at a three-star review, but the thing that set him off is shockingly mild

A Chinese restaurant in Tulum, Mexico, is going viral after its owner responded furiously to a relatively mild three star review. The situation drew widespread attention after it was highlighted by the Daily Dot.

The review was posted by diner Anvita Kotha, who offered a balanced assessment of her experience at Wang Tulum. She noted both what she enjoyed and what fell short, making it clear that she did not hate the meal but was ultimately underwhelmed.

Screenshots of the exchange have since circulated widely online. This happened largely because of how disproportionate the owner’s response appeared compared to the original critique.

The reaction was far more intense than the review

Kotha explained that she ordered the dan dan noodles and dumplings in chili oil, with her primary complaint being that the dishes were not spicy enough. Even after requesting extra chili oil and adding salt, she said the food was still not to her taste, though she stressed that it was not bad.

She also included positive remarks in her review, pointing out that Wang Tulum uses premium matcha powder in its latte, which she said was very good. Kotha additionally mentioned that the restaurant offers outdoor seating.

Instead of offering a polite response or ignoring the feedback, the restaurant owner replied with a lengthy and aggressive message. The response was significantly longer than the original review and quickly turned personal.

The owner mocked Kotha’s status as a Google Guide and suggested the restaurant should not be expected to cater to individual preferences. They argued that they make food to please themselves, not just customers, and repeatedly told the reviewer to open her own restaurant instead.

As the message continued, the tone became increasingly hostile and riddled with typos. The owner reiterated that no business is obligated to cater to one reviewer and dismissed her feedback entirely.

The exchange sparked strong reactions online, with many people expressing disbelief that such a mild complaint led to such an intense response. Similar backlash has followed other consumer-facing controversies, from fast food chains being scrutinized in cases like the McDonald’s McRib class action lawsuit over its marketing claims to emotional debates about rising expenses, such as how soaring vet costs are forcing heartbreaking choices for pet owners across the U.S.