A female restaurant employee sparked online controversy when a video emerged of her tasting the food with chopsticks and stirring the pot afterward without cleaning them.

The woman, not identified in local media, was reportedly caught on camera at a Pang Dong Lai restaurant in Xuchang, China.

In the video, which emerged on social media on February 16, she was seen preparing a large pot of noodles in the middle of the busy kitchen.

Then, she pulled some noodles out and cooled them in another dish to do a taste test.

After slurping up the food off her chopsticks, she stuck the same used chopsticks into the big pot and stirred the remaining noodles to finish cooking.

Shortly after the footage emerged online, Pang Dong Lai stated that due to the high number of customers on February 14, an employee prepared a staff meal next to the food they serve their guests, which is not allowed.

This was considered an employee's work mistake.

The establishment is currently closed for rectification, and the involved employee will be dealt with.

A detailed investigation will be conducted, and the findings will be made public, the restaurant added.