Queens, NY — New Malaysia Restaurant, located at 135-17 40 Road in Flushing, received a score of 41 during a health inspection conducted on March 12, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. Inspectors documented one critical violation involving improper hot food holding temperatures and one non-critical violation related to dishwashing deficiencies.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 16, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items not being held at or above 140 °F. TCS foods — which include cooked meats, rice, soups, and other items that support bacterial growth — must be maintained at proper temperatures to prevent the rapid multiplication of harmful pathogens. When these foods fall into the "danger zone" between 41°F and 140°F, the risk of foodborne illness increases significantly.
Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation related to dishwashing and ware washing operations. The cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment, was found to be deficient. Proper ware washing is essential to preventing cross-contamination between servings and ensuring that food contact surfaces remain sanitary.
The combined violations resulted in a score of 41, well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
Food Safety Context
Hot holding temperature requirements are established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with the FDA Food Code, which mandates that hot TCS foods be kept at 140°F or above. This threshold exists because temperatures below 140°F allow bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens to multiply to levels that can cause illness.
The FDA Food Code identifies temperature abuse as one of the leading contributing factors in foodborne illness outbreaks. Restaurants are expected to monitor food temperatures regularly using calibrated thermometers and to take corrective action — such as reheating to 165°F — when temperatures fall below the minimum threshold.
Dishwashing and sanitizing standards require that all food contact surfaces be properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized between uses. Deficiencies in this area can lead to the persistence of bacteria, allergens, and other contaminants on surfaces that come into direct contact with food served to customers.
Inspection History
New Malaysia Restaurant's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- Sep 11, 2025: Score 5 (Grade Z)
- Sep 9, 2025: Score 12
- Sep 2, 2025: Score 59, closed by DOHMH
- Jan 30, 2025: Score 37 (Grade C)
- Sep 24, 2024: Score 28
- Feb 1, 2023: Score 30 (Grade C)
The restaurant was closed by DOHMH in September 2025 after receiving a score of 59. It subsequently passed re-inspection with a score of 12 on September 9, 2025, and recorded a score of 5 on September 11, 2025. However, the current score of 41 represents a return to Grade C-level performance, marking the third time in approximately two years that the restaurant has scored at or above the 28-point Grade C threshold.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
- Grade B: 14–27 points (moderate concerns)
- Grade C: 28 or more points (significant concerns)
A Grade C score indicates that inspectors identified conditions that pose a higher risk to public health. Restaurants receiving a Grade C may request an adjudicatory hearing and may be subject to additional re-inspections.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online. The current inspection results, including specific violation codes and descriptions, are public record and accessible to anyone seeking information about a restaurant's food safety compliance.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for New Malaysia Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.