Inspection conducted Dec 23, 2025 · Data released by DOHMH Dec 26, 2025
CLOSED BY DOHMH
Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot Closed by Health Dept - Brooklyn
Published March 3, 2026 2:41 AM
1217 SURF AVENUE, Brooklyn, NY 11224 · Korean
70
Violation Score A: 0-13 · B: 14-27 · C: 28+
Brooklyn, NY — Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, a Korean restaurant located at 1217 Surf Avenue in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on December 23, 2025. The establishment received a score of 70 points and was cited for 14 critical violations and 10 non-critical violations.
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The closure was ordered after inspectors determined that violations requiring immediate action were present. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on December 26, 2025.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified a wide range of food safety concerns spanning pest activity, temperature control, sanitation, and personal hygiene practices.
Inspectors documented evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food and non-food areas, cited under Code 04K. Additionally, filth flies and food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies were noted in food and non-food areas under Code 04N. The presence of both rodent and fly activity represents two of the most serious categories of critical violations under New York City's inspection framework.
Temperature control issues were also recorded. Hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were found not held at or above the required 140°F threshold, a violation of Code 02B. Improper holding temperatures can allow harmful bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels in foods that require temperature control.
Multiple sanitation violations were cited. Food contact surfaces were found not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use, documented under Code 06D. Wiping cloths were not stored clean and dry or in a sanitizing solution between uses (Code 06F). Food, supplies, and equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, and service (Code 06C).
Personal cleanliness violations were also identified under Code 06A. Inspectors noted inadequate personal cleanliness practices, including soiled outer garments, lack of effective hair restraints where required, jewelry worn on hands or arms, and fingernail hygiene concerns.
Among the non-critical violations, inspectors found the establishment was not free of conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (Code 08A). Garbage receptacles were cited for not being pest or water resistant with tight-fitting lids (Code 08B). Improper thawing procedures were documented (Code 09B), and plumbing-related issues including the lack of anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices were noted (Code 10B). Non-food contact surfaces were found not kept clean or properly maintained for accessibility during cleaning (Code 10F).
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH inspectors have the authority to close any establishment that poses an imminent health hazard to the public. Conditions such as active rodent or pest activity and improper temperature holding of TCS foods are recognized by both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code as conditions that can directly contribute to foodborne illness.
The FDA Food Code specifies that hot TCS foods must be maintained at 140°F or above to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Rodent activity in food preparation and storage areas presents risks of contamination from droppings, urine, and fur, which can carry pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli.
A score of 70 points places the restaurant well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation, indicating a substantial number of violations observed during the inspection.
Inspection History
Public records show the following inspection history for this establishment:
December 30, 2025: Score 0 (Grade Z), Reopened
December 29, 2025: Score 17, Closed
December 26, 2025: Score 13 (Grade N), Closed
November 24, 2025: Score 70 (Grade N)
March 13, 2024: Score 67 (Grade N)
The record indicates a pattern of elevated scores. The restaurant received a score of 67 in March 2024 and a score of 70 in November 2025 before the December 23 inspection that resulted in this closure. Following the closure, subsequent inspections on December 26 and 29 show the establishment was reinspected and closed again before ultimately reopening on December 30 with a score of 0.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
A: 0 to 13 points (fewest violations)
B: 14 to 27 points
C: 28 or more points
A score of 70 falls in the C range, reflecting a significant number of violations documented during the inspection. Restaurants that are closed must correct all conditions that led to the closure before they are permitted to reopen.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history and current grade through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. All inspection results referenced in this article are based on publicly available data maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
CRITICAL Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. (Code 06D)
CRITICAL Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed. (Code 06A)
Non-Critical Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
Non-Critical Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance. (Code 08B)
CRITICAL Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. (Code 04K)
CRITICAL Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. (Code 02B)
CRITICAL Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. (Code 04N)
Non-Critical Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
CRITICAL Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses. (Code 06F)
CRITICAL Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. (Code 06D)
CRITICAL Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed. (Code 06A)
Non-Critical Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. (Code 08A)
Non-Critical Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance. (Code 08B)
CRITICAL Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas. (Code 04K)
CRITICAL Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. (Code 06C)
CRITICAL Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F. (Code 02B)
CRITICAL Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. (Code 04N)
Non-Critical Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of. (Code 10B)
Non-Critical Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. (Code 10F)
CRITICAL Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses. (Code 06F)
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection data from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), released under the NYC Open Data program.
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI (Claude) to synthesize official inspection data into accessible reporting, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, through Twin Digital Media's regulatory data auditing protocols.
Regulatory References: NYC Health Code Article 81, FDA Food Code (2022). NYC Restaurant Inspections is an independent public data reporting service. We are not affiliated with the City of New York.
| Last verified: March 13, 2026 | Our methodology
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