Queens, NY — Arirang Usa, a Korean restaurant located at 41-04 163rd Street in Flushing, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on June 10, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 107, one of the highest scores documented under the city's grading system, reflecting multiple violations including a critical finding of live roaches on the premises. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on June 12, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the June 10 inspection, inspectors cited three violations — one critical and two non-critical.

The critical violation, Code 04M, documented live roaches in the facility's food or non-food area. Under the city's inspection scoring system, a live roach finding is treated as a critical violation because it represents a direct potential pathway for contamination of food and food-contact surfaces.

Inspectors also cited two non-critical violations. Code 08A noted that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests — a finding that is often associated with structural gaps, clutter, or inadequate sanitation practices that allow pests to shelter or breed. Code 10F identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate cleaning access.

DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection. The establishment was closed as a result of the findings.

Food Safety Context

Live roach activity in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation under the NYC Health Code Article 81 and is consistent with pest control standards outlined in the FDA Food Code. Cockroaches are capable of carrying and transferring pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, and their presence in areas where food is prepared, stored, or served presents a recognized public health concern.

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes requirements for pest management, equipment maintenance, and facility cleanliness in food service establishments. The FDA Food Code, which informs many local health regulations nationally, similarly identifies evidence of pest activity as a condition that can warrant immediate corrective action or closure.

Code 08A violations — related to harborage conditions — are often cited alongside active pest findings because they indicate conditions that may have contributed to or sustained an infestation. Code 10F violations, while non-critical, can complicate cleaning and sanitation efforts if equipment cannot be accessed or cleaned on all sides.

A score of 107 falls well into the Grade C range. Under NYC's grading system, scores of 28 or more points result in a Grade C, which is the lowest letter grade assigned. The restaurant's score of 107 reflects the cumulative point value of all violations cited during the inspection.

Inspection History

Arirang Usa's recent inspection record shows a significant deterioration from prior years:

  • March 16, 2026: Score 47 (Grade C range)
  • May 17, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • December 15, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)

The restaurant received Grade A scores in both 2022 and 2024, indicating it had previously maintained compliance with city health standards. The March 2026 inspection marked a substantial increase in violations, and the June 2026 inspection resulted in a closure order. The pattern represents a notable shift from the establishment's prior performance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City requires letter grades to be posted in the front window of all food service establishments following each inspection cycle. Grades are assigned based on the total score received:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — indicates general compliance with city health standards
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates some violations that require correction
  • C: Score of 28 or more points — indicates multiple or more serious violations

Scores are calculated by assigning point values to each violation found during an inspection. Critical violations, which pose a more direct risk to public health, carry higher point values than non-critical violations. A restaurant that receives a score above 13 on an initial inspection is typically re-inspected within a set timeframe. The grade posted must reflect the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Closure orders are issued when inspectors identify conditions that pose an immediate risk to public health that cannot be corrected on-site during the inspection. Establishments that have been closed may reopen once reinspection confirms that violations have been corrected.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at the NYC Open Data portal. Residents can search for any establishment by name, address, or borough to review current and historical inspection data.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Arirang Usa including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.