Manhattan, NY — Phoshime, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 165 East 33rd Street in Manhattan, received a score of 30 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 13, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest grade in NYC's restaurant grading system.

The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 13 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a single critical violation related to food contact surface sanitation:

Food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred (violation code 06D).

This violation pertains to surfaces that come into direct contact with food during preparation and service — including cutting boards, prep tables, utensils, and similar equipment. When these surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses, there is an increased risk of cross-contamination between different food items, including the potential transfer of allergens and harmful bacteria.

Despite being the only violation recorded during the inspection, the critical nature of the finding was sufficient to push the restaurant's score to 30, above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food service establishments are required to maintain sanitary conditions that protect public health. Food contact surface sanitation is one of the most fundamental requirements in food safety, addressed in both local regulations and the FDA Food Code.

The FDA Food Code specifies that food contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized between uses, particularly when switching between different raw food types or between raw and ready-to-eat foods. Proper sanitation protocols typically involve a three-step process: washing with detergent, rinsing with clean water, and sanitizing with an approved chemical solution or hot water at the required temperature.

A single critical violation in this category can carry significant point weight in NYC's scoring system, as it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness if left unaddressed.

Inspection History

Phoshime's inspection record shows a pattern of fluctuating scores over the past three years:

  • Feb 13, 2026: Score 30, critical violation cited
  • Feb 9, 2026: Score 30
  • Nov 14, 2024: Score 17 (Grade B)
  • Jan 31, 2024: Score 37
  • Jan 3, 2023: Score 12

The restaurant's history reflects considerable variability. In January 2023, Phoshime achieved a score of 12, which falls within Grade A range. However, by January 2024, the score had risen to 37, well into Grade C territory. The restaurant improved to a 17 (Grade B) in November 2024 before recording back-to-back scores of 30 in February 2026.

The two inspections in February 2026, occurring just four days apart on February 9 and February 13, both resulted in identical scores of 30. This pattern may indicate a re-inspection cycle in which the restaurant was given an opportunity to address previously identified issues.

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
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Critical violations, which represent conditions most likely to contribute to foodborne illness, carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. Grade cards must be posted at the restaurant's entrance, and all inspection results are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history for Phoshime and any other NYC restaurant through the DOHMH online portal or by visiting NYCRestaurantInspections.com. These public records provide transparency into the food safety practices of the city's dining establishments.

More About This Restaurant

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