Queens, NY — Mr. Wasabi, a Japanese restaurant located at 42-32 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, received a score of 41 following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 18, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory. Inspection data was released by the agency on March 24, 2026.

The single violation documented during the inspection was classified as non-critical but carried enough point weight to push the restaurant's score well above the Grade C threshold of 28.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one violation under Code 10B, related to plumbing and drainage systems. Specifically, the restaurant was found to lack an anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device where required, and equipment or flooring was identified as not properly drained. The violation category also covers sewage disposal systems that are in disrepair or not functioning properly, as well as improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

Back-flow prevention devices are a standard public health requirement in commercial food service environments. Their absence creates a potential pathway for contaminated water to enter the clean water supply — a concern that, while classified as non-critical in this instance, falls under the broader framework of facilities maintenance that health regulators monitor closely.

The violation was cited during a routine inspection. No critical violations were recorded during this visit.

Food Safety Context

New York City restaurant inspections are governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the standards all food service establishments must meet. The DOHMH inspection program uses a points-based scoring system in which lower scores indicate better compliance; each violation is assigned a point value based on its assessed risk to public health.

Under Article 81, plumbing standards are designed to ensure that water used in food preparation and handwashing is not subject to contamination from back-flow or improper drainage. The FDA Food Code, which informs state and municipal health codes nationally, similarly identifies cross-connection and back-flow risks as a concern in commercial kitchens where multiple water systems operate in proximity.

A score of 41 on a single non-critical violation indicates that the cited condition carried significant weight in the scoring matrix, suggesting inspectors assessed the plumbing deficiency as notable in scope or severity, even absent a critical classification.

Inspection History

Mr. Wasabi's prior inspection record reflects a generally strong compliance history, making the current Grade C a departure from its recent performance:

  • March 18, 2026: Score 41 (Grade C), one non-critical violation cited
  • March 13, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • May 16, 2023: Score 22 (Grade B)
  • March 30, 2022: Score 9 (Grade A)

The restaurant earned Grade A scores in both 2022 and 2024, with a mid-range score in 2023 that still fell within Grade B range. The jump to a score of 41 in the most recent cycle represents a significant change from the establishment's prior record.

Following a scored inspection, restaurants have the opportunity to request a re-inspection, at which point a new grade is issued based on the results of that follow-up visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH uses the following grading scale:

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

Grades are required to be posted in a visible location at the entrance to every food service establishment in New York City. A Grade C indicates that violations were found during inspection that the restaurant has not yet had the opportunity to correct through a re-inspection cycle.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant, including violation details and current grade status, through the DOHMH's public inspection database at nyc.gov/health. Complaints about food service conditions can be submitted to 311 or through the city's online complaint portal.

More About This Restaurant

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