Manhattan, NY — Emperor Dumpling, a Chinese restaurant at 688 8th Avenue in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene following an inspection on March 25, 2026, during which inspectors documented evidence of mice in the establishment. A follow-up inspection conducted on April 1, 2026 resulted in a score of 2, and the restaurant was cleared to reopen.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 25 inspection, inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. No non-critical violations were recorded during that visit.

The presence of rodents in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation under New York City health regulations because it poses a direct risk of food contamination. Mice can carry pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira, and their presence in areas where food is stored, prepared, or served creates conditions that may compromise public health.

The inspection yielded a score of 95, recorded as Grade N, indicating the restaurant was in the process of a re-inspection cycle. A score at that level triggers mandatory closure pending a corrective action inspection.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are conducted under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Violations are classified as critical or general, with critical violations carrying higher point values due to their potential to directly cause foodborne illness.

The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection standards, identifies pest activity as one of the most significant risk factors in food service environments. Rodent evidence — whether in the form of droppings, gnaw marks, or live animals — indicates a breakdown in the structural and operational controls required to keep pests out of food areas.

When inspectors identify conditions requiring immediate action, DOHMH has the authority to close an establishment on the spot. The operator must address the cited conditions and pass a follow-up inspection before being permitted to resume service.

Inspection History

The following entries reflect Emperor Dumpling's recent inspection record as documented in DOHMH public data:

  • March 25, 2026: Score 95 (Grade N), closed by DOHMH — critical violation cited for evidence of mice
  • April 1, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z), reopened following corrective action inspection

The April 1 follow-up score of 2 falls within the A range under NYC's grading scale, suggesting inspectors found the previously cited conditions had been addressed. The Grade Z designation is assigned during re-inspection cycles and is later converted to a letter grade once the inspection process is complete.

The initial closure and rapid turnaround is a pattern seen across the city's restaurant inspection system. DOHMH requires that critical conditions be corrected before an establishment can reopen, and follow-up inspections are typically scheduled within days of a closure order.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — the highest rating, indicating full or near-full compliance
  • B: 14 to 27 points — indicates some violations that must be addressed
  • C: 28 points or more — indicates significant violations requiring corrective action

Scores labeled Grade N or Grade Z are not final letter grades. Grade N is assigned when a restaurant's score on an initial inspection is too high to earn an A, triggering a re-inspection. Grade Z is assigned at the time of re-inspection; the final grade posted in the window reflects the lower of the two scores once the cycle is complete.

A score of 13 points, which corresponds to the inspection data associated with this establishment's most recent cycle, falls within the A range.

Data and Public Records

Inspection data cited in this article was released by DOHMH on April 2, 2026, reflecting an inspection conducted on March 30, 2026. NYC inspection records are updated on a rolling basis and are available to the public through the city's open data portal.

Restaurant inspection records are public information maintained by the city to support consumer awareness. Scores, violation codes, and grade designations represent conditions observed at the time of inspection and do not necessarily reflect current conditions at the establishment.

Consumers can look up inspection history for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov/health.

More About This Restaurant

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