Manhattan, NY — Gong Cha, the international bubble tea chain located at 1600 Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted March 18, 2026. Inspectors recorded a total score of 31, with one critical violation and four non-critical violations documented. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 20, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The most serious finding was a critical violation under Code 02G: cold temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were held above 41°F. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, cold TCS foods — including dairy, certain prepared beverages, and ingredients requiring refrigeration — must be maintained at or below 41°F to inhibit bacterial growth. Failure to maintain these temperatures is classified as a critical violation because it represents a direct risk of foodborne illness.
Four non-critical violations were also identified during the same inspection:
- Code 16-03 (cited twice): Caloric content was not posted on menus, menu boards, or food tags. As a nationally operating chain with 15 or more locations under common ownership, Gong Cha is required under NYC Health Code to display calorie counts for all standardized menu items.
- Code 20-08: Failure to post healthy eating information in a conspicuous location, as required for chain food service establishments operating in New York City.
- Code 10B: Anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required, or equipment not properly drained. This category also covers improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.
The score of 31 places the establishment in Grade C territory. No closure order was issued in connection with this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Cold temperature control is one of the foundational requirements in food safety regulation. NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code establish 41°F as the maximum holding temperature for cold TCS foods — the threshold above which pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can multiply to dangerous levels. Violations of Code 02G are among the higher-weighted citations in the DOHMH scoring system, reflecting the direct public health implications of improper cold holding.
The caloric posting requirements cited under Code 16-03 stem from New York City's menu labeling laws, which apply to chain restaurants meeting the 15-or-more-location threshold. These rules are intended to support informed consumer choices and are enforced independently of food safety scores.
The backflow prevention requirement under Code 10B addresses the integrity of the establishment's plumbing, ensuring that contaminated water cannot re-enter the potable water supply.
Inspection History
Gong Cha's 1600 Broadway location had a consistent record of Grade A scores in the three inspections preceding this cycle:
- 2024-11-21: Score 13 (Grade A)
- 2023-06-22: Score 5 (Grade A)
- 2022-06-06: Score 13 (Grade A)
The March 2026 inspection represents the first Grade C recorded at this location in the available inspection history.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system is based on the numerical score assigned at each inspection, where a lower score indicates fewer violations:
- A: Score of 0–13 points
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 points or higher
Scores are weighted based on the severity of each violation. Critical violations — those with the most direct potential to cause foodborne illness — carry higher point values than non-critical violations. Establishments that receive a B or C grade during an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection before a letter grade is posted publicly.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Gong Cha including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.