Manhattan, NY — Dd Soup Dumpling, located at 321A W 42nd St in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 29 points during a New York City health inspection conducted on February 25, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved hot Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food items not being held at or above 140 °F. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, potentially hazardous foods must be maintained at proper temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Hot foods that fall below 140 °F enter what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone" — the temperature range between 41 °F and 140 °F where bacteria can multiply rapidly.
This type of violation is classified as critical because it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness if left uncorrected.
Inspectors also noted a non-critical violation: the restaurant's current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted as required. NYC restaurants are required by law to display their most recent grade card in a conspicuous location visible to customers entering the establishment. Failure to post the grade card does not pose a direct food safety risk but is a regulatory compliance issue that can result in fines.
The action recorded for this inspection was that violations were cited in the listed areas. The restaurant was not closed as a result of this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control is one of the most fundamental principles in food safety regulation. The FDA Food Code establishes 140 °F as the minimum holding temperature for hot TCS foods, which include items such as cooked meats, soups, rice, and other protein-rich or moisture-rich dishes. When these foods are held below the required temperature, the risk of bacterial growth — including pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens — increases significantly.
For a restaurant specializing in Asian and Asian fusion cuisine, where soup-based dishes and dumplings are central to the menu, maintaining proper hot holding temperatures is particularly relevant to food safety.
NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment operations in New York City and requires compliance with temperature control standards during all phases of food preparation, holding, and service.
Inspection History
Dd Soup Dumpling's inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores over the past several years:
- September 9, 2024: Score 27
- August 15, 2024: Score 63
- July 16, 2024: Score 33 (Grade C)
- June 24, 2024: Score 56
- March 6, 2023: Score 21
The restaurant's scores have fluctuated considerably, ranging from 21 to 63 points. The summer of 2024 was particularly challenging, with four inspections over a roughly three-month period and scores reaching as high as 63. The most recent score of 29 represents an improvement compared to the mid-2024 inspections but still falls in the Grade C range.
The March 2023 inspection, with a score of 21, was the restaurant's best recorded result in recent history, falling within the Grade B range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the DOHMH restaurant grading system:
- Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade C score of 29 means the restaurant accumulated enough violation points to fall into the lowest grade category, though only narrowly — one point above the Grade C threshold of 28.
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection and may also contest their results through an administrative tribunal hearing.
How to Stay Informed
Consumers can look up inspection results for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's publicly available restaurant inspection database. The data used in this report is sourced from official DOHMH inspection records. Diners are encouraged to check current grade postings when visiting any restaurant and to review the full inspection history for additional context beyond the letter grade alone.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Dd Soup Dumpling including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.