Manhattan, NY — Joju, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 555 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 29 during a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system.

The inspection, carried out by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), documented conditions related to pest harborage at the establishment. The results represent a significant decline from the restaurant's most recent prior inspection in November 2024, when it earned a Grade A with a score of 11.

Data from this inspection was released by DOHMH on March 17, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 11 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one non-critical violation at Joju:

The establishment was found not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (violation code 08A). This category covers environmental conditions within a restaurant that may attract or sustain pest activity, including gaps in walls or floors, improper food storage that could draw pests, or evidence of pest presence such as droppings or nesting materials.

While the inspection recorded no critical violations, the single non-critical violation resulted in a total score of 29 points — two points above the Grade C threshold of 28. Under New York City's scoring system, higher point values indicate more serious or numerous conditions identified during inspection.

Food Safety Context

Pest-related conditions in food service establishments are addressed under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, which require restaurants to maintain facilities free from conditions that attract or harbor pests. These regulations exist because pests in food preparation areas can contaminate food and food-contact surfaces, posing potential risks to public health.

NYC Health Code Article 81.17 specifically requires food service establishments to be constructed, maintained, and operated to prevent the entrance and harborage of pests. When inspectors identify conditions conducive to pest activity, restaurants are expected to address the underlying environmental factors — such as sealing entry points, improving sanitation, and eliminating potential food and water sources for pests.

A score of 29 places Joju just above the Grade C threshold, meaning the restaurant may have the opportunity to request a re-inspection to improve its score before a grade card is formally posted.

Inspection History

Joju's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of variable scores:

  • November 21, 2024: Score 11, Grade A
  • January 18, 2024: Score 17, no grade recorded
  • August 31, 2022: Score 7, Grade A
  • July 15, 2022: Score 18, no grade recorded

The restaurant had maintained Grade A status at its two most recent graded inspections, with scores of 11 and 7 respectively. The March 2026 score of 29 represents the highest point total in Joju's available inspection history and its first result in Grade C range.

Inspections where no grade is recorded typically represent initial inspections in a cycle where the restaurant may have been re-inspected at a later date to establish the posted grade.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with critical violations carrying higher point values than non-critical ones.

The grade thresholds are:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection. The better score between the initial inspection and the re-inspection determines the posted grade. Restaurants may also contest their scores through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's current grade and full inspection history online at the NYC Open Data portal or through the DOHMH website.

For more information about Joju's inspection history or to search other restaurants in the area, visit the NYC Department of Health restaurant grades page at [a]nyc.gov/health/restaurants[/a].

More About This Restaurant

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