Brooklyn, NY — Ru Yi Chinese Restaurant, located at 7706 New Utrecht Avenue in the Bensonhurst neighborhood, received a score of 39 points during a health inspection conducted on March 5, 2026, according to data released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 9, 2026. Inspectors documented two critical violations at the Chinese restaurant, including the absence of an accessible hand washing facility and improper cold food storage temperatures.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified two critical violations at the establishment:
No accessible hand washing facility. Inspectors cited the restaurant under violation code 05D for lacking a hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. The citation noted that the hand washing facility was not accessible, was obstructed, or was being used for non-hand washing purposes. The violation also referenced issues with hot and cold running water availability, water pressure, soap, or acceptable hand-drying devices.
Hand washing is considered one of the most fundamental food safety controls. The FDA Food Code identifies proper hand hygiene as a critical barrier against the transmission of foodborne pathogens including norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and E. coli.
Cold food held above safe temperatures. Inspectors also cited the restaurant under violation code 02G for holding cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items above 41°F. TCS foods — which include items such as cooked rice, tofu, meat, poultry, and cut vegetables commonly used in Chinese cuisine — must be maintained at or below 41°F to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When cold foods are held above this threshold, the risk of bacterial multiplication increases significantly.
No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City, requiring restaurants to maintain proper sanitation, temperature controls, and hygiene facilities. The hand washing requirement is rooted in both local code and the FDA Food Code, which mandates that hand washing sinks must be conveniently located, accessible, and properly supplied at all times during operation.
Cold holding temperature requirements exist because the range between 41°F and 135°F is known as the "temperature danger zone," where bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes. Maintaining TCS foods below 41°F slows bacterial growth to safe levels and is a foundational principle of food safety management.
A score of 39 points places the restaurant in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade assigned by DOHMH.
Inspection History
Ru Yi Chinese Restaurant has a documented pattern of inspection results over the past year:
- Oct 25, 2025: Score 28
- May 1, 2025: Score 0 (Grade Z — re-inspection)
- Apr 29, 2025: Score 60, closed by DOHMH
- Apr 8, 2025: Score 36
The restaurant was previously closed by health authorities in April 2025 after receiving a score of 60 points. It subsequently passed a re-inspection on May 1, 2025, receiving a score of 0. However, the October 2025 inspection again resulted in a score of 28, and the current March 2026 inspection shows a further increase to 39 points, indicating a recurring pattern of compliance challenges.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
The DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores:
- 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 are entitled to a re-inspection, and the better of the two scores determines the final posted grade. Grade cards must be displayed prominently at the restaurant entrance.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by visiting NYCRestaurantInspections.com. The inspection data referenced in this article is public record maintained by DOHMH and is subject to updates as new inspections are conducted.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Ru Yi Chinese Restaurant including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.