Queens, NY — Kakurega Japanese Cuisine, located at 133-44 37th Avenue in Flushing, received a score of 28 — placing it in Grade C territory — following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The results were released in the DOHMH public database on April 6, 2026.

The inspection identified one critical violation, related to evidence of mice within the establishment.

What Inspectors Found

The single violation cited during the April 2 inspection was classified as critical under DOHMH standards. Inspectors documented evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, recorded under violation code 04L.

This type of violation is considered critical because rodent activity in a food service environment presents a direct risk of contamination to food, food-contact surfaces, and equipment. Rodents can carry and transmit pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira, which pose health risks to consumers.

The establishment recorded no non-critical violations during this inspection cycle.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain facilities free of pest activity and to implement effective pest control measures. The presence of rodent evidence — whether physical signs such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting material, or the observation of live animals — constitutes a critical violation that carries significant point penalties during DOHMH scoring.

The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's local standards, similarly classifies pest presence as a priority violation requiring immediate corrective action. Establishments cited for such violations are typically required to address the condition and may be subject to re-inspection.

It is worth noting that a score of 28 places the restaurant at the minimum threshold for a Grade C designation. DOHMH scoring assigns points based on the number and severity of violations identified during a single unannounced inspection.

Inspection History

Kakurega Japanese Cuisine's prior inspection record shows a pattern of strong performance in recent years, making the April 2026 result a notable departure:

  • September 12, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • December 1, 2022: Score 12 (Grade A)

Both previous inspections on record resulted in Grade A scores, indicating the restaurant had consistently met or exceeded city health standards in those cycles. The current Grade C score represents the first documented decline in the establishment's available inspection history.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total number of points assessed during a DOHMH inspection. Points are assigned for each violation identified, with critical violations carrying higher point values than general violations. The grade scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or more

Restaurants that receive a grade other than A at their initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days. At that re-inspection, a final grade is assigned. Establishments have the option to contest their grade through an administrative tribunal process.

Grade cards are required by law to be posted in a location visible from the street or entrance, allowing diners to review an establishment's most recent grade before entering.

Current inspection records for all New York City restaurants are available through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database, accessible via the NYC Open Data portal at data.cityofnewyork.us. Residents can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full inspection histories and violation details.

More About This Restaurant

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