Brooklyn, NY — No. 9 Fried Bun, a Chinese restaurant located at 808 57th Street in Brooklyn, received a score of 48 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 12, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, which applies to restaurants scoring 28 points or higher. Inspectors documented a critical violation related to food contact surfaces and equipment.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited No. 9 Fried Bun for one critical violation under code 05C. The violation pertains to food contact surfaces, refillable or reusable containers, or equipment that was improperly constructed, placed, or maintained. Inspectors also noted the use of unacceptable materials and documented that a culinary sink or other acceptable method was not provided for washing food.
Food contact surfaces include any area or piece of equipment that comes into direct contact with food during preparation, cooking, or serving. When these surfaces are improperly maintained or constructed from unsuitable materials, the risk of contamination increases. The absence of an adequate food-washing station further compounds food safety concerns, as produce and other items that require rinsing before preparation may not be properly cleaned.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection. The action taken by DOHMH was to cite the restaurant for the violations found.
Food Safety Context
The requirements for food contact surfaces are established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and align with standards set by the FDA Food Code. These regulations specify that all surfaces and equipment that come into contact with food must be smooth, easily cleanable, durable, and made of approved materials. Equipment must also be properly placed to allow for thorough cleaning and to prevent contamination.
The FDA Food Code further requires that food establishments provide adequate facilities for washing raw fruits, vegetables, and other foods that require rinsing before use. A dedicated culinary sink or comparable approved method must be available and accessible to staff during food preparation.
A score of 48 is notably high on the city's inspection scale, where lower scores indicate fewer violations. At nearly four times the threshold for a Grade A rating, the score reflects conditions that DOHMH considers a meaningful departure from food safety standards.
Inspection History
No. 9 Fried Bun's recent inspection record shows a notable shift from its prior performance:
- December 5, 2024: Score 13, Grade A
- October 2, 2024: Score 29
The restaurant had achieved a Grade A score of 13 in its most recent prior inspection in December 2024, indicating general compliance with health code standards at that time. Before that, in October 2024, the establishment received a score of 29, which fell into the range requiring a re-inspection. The March 2026 score of 48 represents the highest score recorded across these recent inspections.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The grading thresholds are:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The restaurant posts the better of the two grades. Grade cards must be displayed at the restaurant entrance where they are visible to the public.
A Grade C designation indicates that inspectors identified conditions with the highest point values on the city's scoring system. Restaurants receiving this grade may schedule an adjudicatory hearing with the DOHMH Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
How to Access This Information
This inspection data is part of the public record and is available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, scores, and specific violations through the city's online portal. The inspection referenced in this article was conducted on March 12, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on March 16, 2026.
Residents and visitors can check current grades and inspection details for any New York City restaurant at the DOHMH website or by looking for the posted grade card at the establishment's entrance.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for No. 9 Fried Bun including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.