Queens, NY — Hwa Shoo Shoo, a Chinese restaurant located at 133-36 37th Avenue in Flushing, Queens, received an inspection score of 75 — a Grade C — following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 6, 2026. The data was publicly released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

What Inspectors Found

The more serious of the two violations was a critical citation under Code 02G, which addresses the improper holding temperatures of temperature-controlled-for-safety (TCS) foods. Inspectors found that cold TCS food items were held above 41°F — the maximum safe holding temperature established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. This category of violation covers a broad range of cold foods, including smoked or processed fish (which must be held at or below 38°F), intact raw eggs (which must be held at or below 45°F), and reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods.

Maintaining cold food temperatures is a foundational requirement of food safety practice. When TCS foods are held above required temperatures, bacterial growth can accelerate, increasing the risk of foodborne illness for consumers.

The second violation, a non-critical citation under Code 10G, documented deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment used in dishwashing and ware washing operations. While classified as non-critical, proper ware washing practices are required under NYC Health Code Article 81 to prevent cross-contamination and maintain sanitary conditions for food service.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code both establish specific requirements for temperature control of perishable foods. Code 02G violations are among the most commonly cited critical violations in New York City restaurant inspections, because temperature abuse of TCS foods creates conditions under which pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus can reach dangerous levels.

A critical violation is defined by DOHMH as one that poses a direct threat to public health if not corrected. Critical violations carry higher point values in the NYC inspection scoring system, which is why a single Code 02G violation can contribute substantially to an elevated score.

DOHMH requires that restaurants correct critical violations immediately upon identification, or the agency may take further action including ordering the establishment to close.

Inspection History

The April 6, 2026 inspection is not the first time Hwa Shoo Shoo has received an elevated score in recent months. The restaurant's available inspection history includes:

  • June 9, 2026: Score 47 (Grade Z)

A Grade Z designation is assigned when a restaurant is under reinspection or when an initial inspection score has not yet been adjudicated. A score of 47 at that visit reflects a significantly elevated violation count. The April 6 result, scored at 75, represents the inspection record referenced in this report.

Note: Inspection records are reported here as released by DOHMH. The chronological order of available records may reflect multiple inspection cycles within a compliance period.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system is based on the total points assigned during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value, and the total determines the grade:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points (lowest violation level)
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points (highest violation level)

A score of 75 places Hwa Shoo Shoo well within Grade C territory. Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection are typically subject to a reinspection within 30 to 45 days. The grade posted at the restaurant must reflect the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database, available through the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection records include violation descriptions, scores, and grade history for all inspected establishments.

More About This Restaurant

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