A resident in Taipei has ignited a public debate after claiming to have suffered significant hair loss, which he says was caused by exposure to powerful odors from a nearby stinky tofu restaurant. The individual, referred to as Mr. A, posted pictures of his balding scalp along with hospital prescription images on social media, explaining that stress from the persistent smells led him to pull out his hair repeatedly, resulting in visible balding.
According to authorities, the restaurant in question, located close to Jiannan Road MRT Station in the Zhongshan District, has been the source of many odor complaints since its opening in December 2024. On February 9 of the previous year, inspectors measured the restaurant’s odor concentration and found it exceeded the legal limit by more than tenfold, reaching a value of 71 where the permitted level for mixed residential and commercial areas is only 10. As a result, the establishment was fined approximately 27 million won.
Following this penalty, the restaurant installed exhaust purification and deodorizing systems. When authorities conducted another inspection in April of the same year, odor levels had dropped below the legal limit and the frequency of odor complaints had diminished to just a few cases each month. Environmental officials reported no significant issues during subsequent visits.
However, in recent days, complaints concerning the restaurant’s odors have resurfaced, particularly on social media, drawing renewed attention and concern from local residents. In response, the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection has announced plans to carry out another site inspection after the Lunar New Year holidays. The agency is urging residents to help identify specific locations where the problem is most severe.
This case highlights growing worries over environmental factors affecting health and well-being, with some local citizens voicing concern that exposure to strong odors may lead to symptoms such as stress-induced hair loss. The authorities remain focused on monitoring the situation and addressing new reports as they emerge.
