Queens, NY — Kpot Korean Bbq And Hotpot, located at 161-53 Crossbay Boulevard in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 20, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 68, placing the establishment in C-grade territory under the city's restaurant grading system. The closure data was released publicly by DOHMH on May 22, 2026.

According to inspection records, two non-critical violations were cited during the visit. While no critical violations were identified, the cumulative point total was sufficient to trigger a closure order. DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented two non-critical violations during the May 20 visit, both related to physical plant conditions and equipment maintenance.

The first violation, cited under Code 10B, involved the absence or inadequacy of anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required. Inspectors also noted concerns related to equipment or floor drainage, or improper disposal of condensation and liquid waste. Back-flow prevention is a foundational plumbing safeguard designed to protect potable water supplies from contamination caused by reverse pressure in a water system.

The second violation, cited under Code 10F, involved non-food contact surfaces or equipment found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate cleaning access on all sides, above, and underneath the unit. Surfaces that cannot be effectively cleaned can harbor bacteria and other contaminants over time, even when they do not come into direct contact with food.

Although neither violation was classified as critical, the point values assigned to each under the DOHMH scoring system resulted in a combined total of 68, a score well above the threshold for a C grade.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation standards for all food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Inspections are unannounced and conducted by trained DOHMH environmental health inspectors.

The FDA Food Code, which informs much of the city's regulatory framework, addresses plumbing standards and equipment maintenance as components of a properly functioning food service operation. Back-flow prevention requirements exist to safeguard the integrity of drinking water connections in commercial kitchens, where water pressure fluctuations can create conditions for contamination if proper devices are not in place.

Equipment cleanliness and accessibility standards are similarly grounded in the understanding that improperly maintained surfaces, even those not in direct contact with food, can contribute to unsanitary conditions over time. DOHMH inspectors are trained to evaluate whether equipment can be adequately cleaned and whether current conditions reflect compliance with those standards.

When a score results in a closure order, DOHMH requires that violations necessitating immediate action be corrected before the establishment may reopen. A reinspection is then conducted to verify compliance.

Inspection History

Kpot Korean Bbq And Hotpot's available inspection history on record shows the following:

  • September 27, 2024: Score 0, Grade A
  • May 20, 2026: Score 68, Closed by DOHMH

The restaurant's most recent prior inspection resulted in a perfect score of zero, indicating full compliance at that time. The May 2026 inspection represents a significant departure from that record. It is not uncommon for inspection results to vary between cycles, as conditions in a commercial kitchen can change based on staffing, volume, equipment wear, and maintenance schedules.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter-grade system based on points assigned during each inspection. Lower scores indicate better compliance. The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — meets or exceeds sanitation standards
  • B: 14 to 27 points — some violations identified; below full compliance
  • C: 28 points or more — multiple or significant violations cited

A score of 68 falls well within the C range. Establishments that receive a score in this range during an initial inspection may request an adjudication hearing and are subject to reinspection before a final grade is posted publicly.

Closure orders are issued when inspectors determine that conditions present a sufficient risk to warrant immediate action. Reopening requires a satisfactory reinspection by DOHMH.

Members of the public can look up current inspection scores and violation details for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at the city's official open data portal. Inspection records are updated regularly as new data is released.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Kpot Korean Bbq And Hotpot including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.