Queens, NY — Chi Mac Zip, a Korean restaurant located at 156-28 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 28, 2026, according to records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 30, 2026. The restaurant's score of 21 places it near the upper boundary of the B range, just six points from the Grade C threshold.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two violations during the visit — one critical and one non-critical.

The critical violation, cited under Code 06F, involved wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, wiping cloths used on food-contact surfaces must be stored properly to prevent bacterial growth and cross-contamination. When cloths are left out between uses without proper sanitation, they can become a vehicle for spreading pathogens to food preparation areas.

The non-critical violation, cited under Code 08C, involved pesticide use. Inspectors noted the presence of an unprotected, unlocked bait station, which falls under the category of pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individuals, or pesticide improperly used or stored. New York City regulations require that pest control measures in food service establishments be conducted by licensed pest management professionals and that all materials be properly secured and labeled to protect food, staff, and customers.

Food Safety Context

A score of 21 is technically within the Grade B range under DOHMH's grading system, but it sits at the higher end of that band. NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food safety standards for all city restaurants, covering everything from temperature control to sanitation practices. The FDA Food Code, which New York State's regulations are based on, classifies wiping cloth storage as a priority item because of its direct link to contamination risk.

Critical violations carry greater point weight in DOHMH scoring and generally indicate conditions with a higher potential to contribute to foodborne illness.

Inspection History

Chi Mac Zip's prior inspection record shows a meaningful shift from its previous visit:

  • 2024-03-27: Score 10 (Grade A)

The restaurant earned a top Grade A just over two years ago, making the current score of 21 a notable change. DOHMH inspects most restaurants once or twice per year, and scores can vary based on conditions present at the time of each visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores as follows:

  • A = 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B = 14–27 points
  • C = 28 or more points

Lower scores reflect fewer or less severe violations. A score of 21 falls in the middle-to-upper portion of the B range. Restaurants that score in the B or C range during an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days, at which point they may post the grade from whichever inspection is more favorable.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Chi Mac Zip including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.