Queens, NY — Madam Tang, a restaurant located at 37-09 College Point Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 26, 2026. The establishment received a score of 53 points, placing it in the C grade range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on May 28, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the May 26 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 03A, which covers food from prohibited, unapproved, or unknown sources. The violation encompasses several specific conditions, including food that is home canned or home prepared, animals that have been slaughtered, butchered, or dressed on the premises, Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) fish that was not frozen prior to processing, and ROP food prepared on the premises and transported to another site.

The inspection record notes that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection, which is standard procedure when DOHMH orders a closure. No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

The single critical violation contributed to the full score of 53 points. Under NYC's inspection scoring methodology, points are assigned based on the severity and breadth of each violation found. Critical violations — those with a direct connection to foodborne illness risk — carry heavier point values than non-critical violations.

Food Safety Context

The violation cited at Madam Tang falls under one of the more serious categories tracked by DOHMH. NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes requirements for food source, condition, and preparation, including explicit prohibitions against obtaining food from unapproved suppliers or engaging in on-site animal processing without appropriate authorization.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many state and local food safety regulations, similarly identifies food from unapproved sources as a priority concern. These regulations exist because food obtained outside of inspected, licensed supply chains cannot be verified for safe handling, proper temperature control, or absence of contamination. When the origin of food served to the public is unknown or unverified, the risk of foodborne illness increases significantly.

Reduced Oxygen Packaging, specifically called out in Code 03A, presents its own regulatory concerns. ROP environments — including vacuum-sealed and modified atmosphere packaging — can suppress the growth of some spoilage organisms while potentially allowing dangerous anaerobic pathogens like Clostridium botulinum to proliferate. Because of this, the FDA Food Code requires that fish intended for ROP processing be frozen first to eliminate parasites, and that ROP operations meet specific labeling and temperature requirements.

DOHMH is authorized under NYC Health Code to order the immediate closure of any food service establishment when inspectors determine that conditions present a public health hazard. A closure order requires the establishment to cease operations until the identified violations are corrected and a reinspection confirms compliance.

Inspection History

According to publicly available DOHMH records, no prior inspection history is available for Madam Tang at this location. This may indicate a recently opened establishment, a change in ownership or business entity, or a gap in available records. The May 26, 2026 inspection appears to be the first on file for this address under this business name.

  • May 26, 2026: Score 53 (Grade C, 28+ points) — Closed by DOHMH; 1 critical violation cited

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grade system was introduced in 2010 to make inspection results more accessible to the public. Grades are posted in restaurant windows and reflect the score received during the most recent inspection cycle.

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points — indicates a high level of compliance with food safety standards
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates some violations were found; a reinspection will follow
  • C: Score of 28 or more points — indicates a greater number or severity of violations

When an establishment scores in the B or C range, or is closed outright, DOHMH schedules a reinspection. If the restaurant scores an A on reinspection, it posts an A grade. If it scores in the B or C range again, it may post a Grade Pending card while it awaits an opportunity to request an adjudication hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must address all conditions cited before they can reopen. An inspector must return to verify that corrections have been made before the closure order is lifted.

More About This Restaurant

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