A RESTAURANT in Oxford was closed after a diner found a cockroach in their meal. 

Health inspectors found evidence of rats in the kitchen and cockroaches in a container of food ready to be served at Sojo in Hythe Bridge Street on August 21.

UPDATE: Diners react to news of hygiene concerns at Sojo

Times food critic Giles Coren described his visit to the long-standing eatery as the best Chinese meal he’d eaten in years in 2009.

And often praised in the Oxford Mail with positive reviews, Sojo picked up the 'best restaurant' award in our food awards earlier this year.

However, inspectors found rat droppings and urine in the kitchen while thick accumulations of grease and dirt allowed pests to breed.

The condition of the eatery prompted Oxford City Council officers to call for its immediate closure on the day of inspection, serving an emergency prohibition notice .

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Oxford Magistrates’ Court then ratified the decision by issuing a hygiene emergency prohibition order against Sojo on August 28.

Oxford Mail:

The interior of Sojo - file picture

After a follow-up inspection of the restaurant that day, officers were satisfied that the risks to health previously found had been dealt with and allowed it to reopen.

Alex Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services said: “Where public safety is at risk we take the necessary enforcement action to put controls in place.

“In this case it was clearly necessary to close the business to protect customers.”