Brooklyn, NY — Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, located at 1217 Surf Avenue in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, was re-closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on December 26, 2025. Inspectors documented evidence of rats on the premises, along with conditions conducive to pest activity and equipment maintenance issues. The closure marked the third time the establishment was ordered closed within a single week.
Kpot Korean Bbq & Hot Pot restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">Despite recording a score of 13 — which under normal circumstances would qualify for an A grade — the establishment was re-closed due to the severity of the violations identified during the inspection.
What Inspectors Found
During the December 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot for three violations, including one classified as critical under the NYC restaurant inspection scoring system.
The critical violation involved evidence of rats or live rats found in the establishment's food or non-food areas (violation code 04K). Rodent activity in a food service establishment is classified as a critical violation because of the direct risk of food contamination and the potential for transmission of foodborne illness.
Inspectors also documented two non-critical violations:
The first non-critical citation noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (violation code 08A). This type of violation typically indicates structural gaps, accumulated debris, or other environmental factors that attract or shelter pests.
The second non-critical violation identified non-food contact surfaces 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 (violation code 10F). Equipment that cannot be adequately cleaned can contribute to ongoing sanitation problems and pest harborage.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishment inspections in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH inspectors evaluate restaurants on a points-based system where lower scores indicate fewer violations. Critical violations — those that pose an immediate risk to public health — carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations.
The presence of rodents in a food service establishment represents one of the most serious findings under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Rats can contaminate food, food preparation surfaces, and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Leptospira. The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments be designed, maintained, and operated to prevent the entry and harborage of pests.
When DOHMH determines that conditions in a restaurant pose an imminent threat to public health, inspectors have the authority to order the establishment closed immediately. The restaurant must then address the cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to resume operations.
Inspection History
Kpot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot's recent inspection record shows a pattern of repeated closures and elevated scores throughout late 2025:
- Dec 30, 2025: Score 0 (Grade Z) — Reopened
- Dec 29, 2025: Score 17 — Closed by DOHMH
- Dec 26, 2025: Score 13 — Re-closed by DOHMH (current inspection)
- Dec 23, 2025: Score 70 (Grade N) — Closed by DOHMH
- Nov 24, 2025: Score 70 (Grade N)
- Mar 13, 2024: Score 67 (Grade N)
The establishment received scores of 67 and 70 across three consecutive inspection cycles from March 2024 through November 2025 — well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C. The December 23 inspection resulted in the first closure order, followed by the re-closure documented in this report on December 26. A subsequent inspection on December 29 resulted in another closure with a score of 17, before the restaurant was ultimately permitted to reopen on December 30 with a score of 0.
The Grade Z designation recorded on December 30 indicates that the establishment's grade is pending following a re-inspection cycle and the restaurant has reopened.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- A: 0 to 13 points — Establishment meets high standards of food safety
- B: 14 to 27 points — Some violations noted requiring correction
- C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. A Grade N (Not Yet Graded) indicates the establishment is in an adjudication or re-inspection cycle. A Grade Z indicates a restaurant has been re-inspected and the grade is pending.
Inspection data referenced in this article was collected on December 26, 2025, with data released by DOHMH on December 29, 2025. Inspection results reflect conditions observed at the time of the inspection and may not represent current conditions. Consumers can verify the most current inspection status of any NYC restaurant by visiting the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal at a]nyc.gov/health/restaurants.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Kpot Korean Bbq & Hot Pot including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.