Manhattan, NY — Nai Brothers Sauerkraut Fish, a Chinese restaurant located at 654 9th Avenue in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on March 19, 2026. The establishment received a score of 79, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C, after inspectors documented sewage contamination in the food preparation area.
The closure was ordered after violations requiring immediate action were identified and addressed on site. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection resulted in one critical violation being cited. Inspectors documented that the food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons was contaminated by sewage or liquid waste. This violation falls under DOHMH violation code 04F.
Sewage contamination in areas where food is prepared or stored represents one of the most serious conditions that can be identified during a restaurant inspection. The presence of sewage or liquid waste in these areas creates direct pathways for harmful bacteria and pathogens to come into contact with food, equipment, and surfaces used in food handling.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The single critical violation alone was sufficient to generate the score of 79 and trigger the closure action by DOHMH.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, restaurants are required to maintain sanitary conditions throughout all areas where food is stored, prepared, or served. The contamination of food preparation or storage areas by sewage or liquid waste constitutes a serious public health concern that warrants immediate corrective action.
The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local food safety regulations, identifies sewage and wastewater contamination as a condition requiring immediate intervention. Sewage can contain a wide range of dangerous pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, norovirus, and hepatitis A, all of which can cause serious foodborne illness.
When DOHMH inspectors encounter conditions that pose an imminent health hazard, they have the authority to order an establishment closed until the condition is corrected. A restaurant that has been closed must address all cited violations and pass a reinspection before it is permitted to reopen to the public.
The score of 79 places this inspection far above the Grade C threshold of 28 or more points. In New York City's letter grading system, lower scores indicate better compliance with health regulations. The high score in this case reflects the severity of the sewage contamination violation documented during the inspection.
Inspection History
A review of publicly available DOHMH records shows the following inspection history for Nai Brothers Sauerkraut Fish:
- March 19, 2026: Score 79, closed by DOHMH — sewage contamination cited
- 2025-09-08: Score 29 (Grade N)
- 2024-05-14: Score 20
The restaurant's September 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 29 with a Grade N designation. A Grade N indicates that the restaurant received a score of 28 or higher during an initial inspection and was scheduled for a reinspection, at which point a letter grade would be assigned. The May 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 20, which falls within the Grade B range of 14 to 27 points.
The March 2026 inspection represents a significant increase in the severity of violations compared to the establishment's prior inspection history. The jump from scores in the 20-29 range to a score of 79 indicates a substantial change in conditions at the restaurant.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores. Lower scores reflect better compliance with food safety regulations:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a reinspection, typically within 30 days, at which point a new score determines the posted letter grade. Restaurants may also contest their grades through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, it must correct all conditions that led to the closure and pass a reinspection before resuming operations. Closure information and inspection results are public record and can be viewed on the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.
Consumers can check current inspection results and letter grades for any New York City restaurant by visiting the DOHMH website or by looking for the letter grade card posted at the restaurant's entrance. Additional inspection details for Nai Brothers Sauerkraut Fish and other NYC restaurants are available at NYCRestaurantInspections.com.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Nai Brothers Sauerkraut Fish including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.