Manhattan, NY — Pho Ga Vang, a Southeast Asian restaurant at 30 Market Street in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on March 3, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 120, which falls well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C — the lowest letter grade issued under the city's restaurant grading system.

The closure was ordered after inspectors identified a critical violation related to the restaurant's hand washing facilities. Violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 3 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one critical violation at Pho Ga Vang:

Hand Washing Facility Violation (Code 05D): Inspectors cited the restaurant for lacking a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The violation further noted that the hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for non-hand washing purposes. Additionally, the inspection recorded issues with the availability of hot and cold running water or inadequate water pressure, along with the absence of soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.

Hand washing is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental practices in food safety. The absence of a functional and accessible hand washing station can compromise the ability of food handlers to maintain proper hygiene during food preparation and service, which is why this violation is classified as critical by DOHMH.

Despite only one violation being documented on the inspection report, the score of 120 points reflects the severity assigned to this category of violation under the city's scoring system. Critical violations that pose an immediate risk to public health carry significant point values and can result in establishment closure when conditions warrant immediate corrective action.

Food Safety Context

The NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Under these regulations, all food service establishments are required to maintain adequate hand washing facilities that are accessible, properly supplied, and in working order at all times.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the basis for many local health regulations nationwide, similarly requires that hand washing sinks be conveniently located, maintained in good repair, and stocked with soap and approved hand-drying devices. The FDA Food Code specifies that hand washing sinks must be accessible to employees at all times and may not be used for purposes other than hand washing.

DOHMH has the authority to close a food establishment when conditions observed during an inspection pose an imminent threat to public health. Closed establishments may apply to reopen once the cited violations have been corrected and the restaurant passes a subsequent inspection.

Inspection History

Pho Ga Vang's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:

  • March 3, 2026: Score of 120, closed by DOHMH — one critical violation related to hand washing facilities
  • 2025-07-10: Score of 44 (Grade N) — the restaurant's previous inspection approximately eight months earlier

The Grade N designation from the July 2025 inspection indicates that the score was pending adjudication or that the restaurant was within its initial grading cycle. A score of 44 would place the establishment in Grade C territory, indicating that compliance concerns preceded the most recent inspection.

The progression from a score of 44 to 120 represents a notable increase and suggests that conditions at the establishment did not improve between inspection cycles.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points documented during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points — the establishment meets high standards of food safety compliance
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points — some violations were noted but do not pose an immediate public health concern
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations were documented

Pho Ga Vang's score of 120 points places it significantly above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. Restaurants that receive a Grade C or are closed by DOHMH are typically subject to a reinspection cycle and must demonstrate compliance before a final grade is posted.

Data and Resources

This inspection was conducted on March 3, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on March 5, 2026. Inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can verify current grades and inspection histories for any restaurant in New York City by visiting the city's online inspection portal.

Pho Ga Vang may reopen once it has addressed all cited violations and passed a follow-up inspection by DOHMH. Until that time, the establishment remains closed by order of the health department.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Pho Ga Vang including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.