Brooklyn, NY — Happy House Seafood Restarant, a Chinese restaurant at 5014 8th Avenue in the Sunset Park neighborhood, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene following an inspection conducted on May 2, 2026, in which the establishment received a score of 103 points. The restaurant subsequently passed a follow-up inspection and reopened on May 6, 2026.

Inspection data from the May 2 visit was released by DOHMH on May 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the May 2 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented six violations — two classified as critical and four as non-critical. A score of 103 places the establishment well above the 28-point threshold that defines a C grade under New York City's restaurant grading system.

The two critical violations were:

Code 05D — Hand Washing Facility: Inspectors found that a required hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for non-hand washing purposes. The violation also encompassed the absence of hot and cold running water, adequate water pressure, soap, or an acceptable hand-drying device. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, properly equipped and accessible hand washing stations are required in or adjacent to toilet rooms and within 25 feet of food preparation, service, or ware washing areas. Hand hygiene is a primary control measure for preventing the transmission of foodborne pathogens.

Code 02B — Hot Food Temperature: Inspectors recorded that a temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) hot food item was not maintained at or above 140°F. The FDA Food Code establishes 140°F as the minimum safe holding temperature for hot TCS foods. Foods held below this threshold enter the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 140°F — a range in which certain bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels.

The four non-critical violations were:

  • Code 10G: Deficiencies in dishwashing and ware washing, specifically in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment.
  • Code 20-04: Required postings were absent, including a "Choking First Aid" poster, an "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and a sign indicating the availability of resuscitation equipment (adult and pediatric exhaled air resuscitation masks and latex gloves).
  • Code 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required, or equipment and floor drainage not properly maintained.
  • Code 10F: Non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable materials, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow access for cleaning on all sides and underneath.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all restaurants operating in New York City are subject to unannounced inspections carried out by DOHMH. Inspectors evaluate compliance across food handling, storage, temperature control, facility sanitation, pest control, and structural standards.

Critical violations are those most directly associated with the risk of foodborne illness. The FDA Food Code, which informs the NYC Health Code, identifies improper hot holding temperatures and inadequate hand washing infrastructure as significant contributors to foodborne illness outbreaks. Critical violations carry higher point values in NYC's scoring system and, when sufficiently severe or numerous, may result in immediate closure of the establishment.

A score of 103 is notably high. By comparison, NYC's C-grade threshold begins at 28 points.

Inspection History

The recent inspection record for Happy House Seafood Restarant is as follows:

  • May 6, 2026: Score 8 — Restaurant reopened following compliance re-inspection
  • May 2, 2026: Score 103 (C grade) — Closed by DOHMH (data released May 8, 2026)
  • October 3, 2025: Score 52 (Grade N — Grade Pending)

The October 2025 inspection resulted in a Grade N designation, which NYC assigns when a restaurant scores outside the A-grade range at an initial inspection and a re-inspection has been scheduled or is pending. A score of 52 at that time also exceeded the C-grade threshold. The four-day turnaround between the May 2 closure and the May 6 reopening indicates the establishment addressed the cited conditions and passed the subsequent compliance visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system uses point totals from unannounced inspections to assign letter grades displayed on cards posted near each restaurant's entrance:

  • A (0–13 points): Meets food safety standards with minimal violations
  • B (14–27 points): Some violations identified; a re-inspection will be scheduled
  • C (28 or more points): Significant violations documented; a re-inspection is required

When a restaurant is closed or awaiting re-inspection, a Grade Pending card is typically displayed in place of a letter grade.

Inspection records for all licensed New York City food service establishments are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov/health. Residents can use this resource to review the complete inspection history of any restaurant in the five boroughs before dining.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Happy House Seafood Restarant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.