Manhattan, NY — Sanmiwago, a Chinese restaurant located at 90 Bowery in Manhattan, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 23, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 65, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating.

The closure was documented in inspection data released by DOHMH on March 25, 2026. According to the department's records, violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the inspection.

What Inspectors Found

The DOHMH inspection report for Sanmiwago documented one non-critical violation during the March 23 visit:

  • Non-food contact surface or equipment issues (Code 10F): Inspectors cited the restaurant for non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

This violation addresses the condition of surfaces and equipment that do not come into direct contact with food but still play a role in maintaining overall sanitary conditions within a food establishment. When such surfaces are not properly maintained, cleaned, or constructed of appropriate materials, they can harbor bacteria, pests, or other contaminants that may indirectly affect food safety.

It is worth noting that while the inspection record lists zero critical violations and one non-critical violation, the establishment received a score of 65 and was closed by DOHMH. The high score relative to the single documented violation may reflect additional conditions observed during the inspection or scoring factors recorded under the department's point system. DOHMH assigns point values to violations based on their severity and the conditions observed at the time of inspection.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary standards that all food service establishments in New York City must meet. These regulations cover food handling, storage, preparation, facility maintenance, and pest control, among other areas. The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model for many local food safety regulations, similarly emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean and properly constructed equipment and surfaces in food preparation environments.

Under the DOHMH inspection and grading system, restaurants are scored based on the number and severity of violations found during an inspection. Each violation carries a specific point value, and the total score determines whether a restaurant receives a letter grade. Establishments that accumulate high scores or present conditions that pose an imminent health hazard may be subject to closure by the department.

When DOHMH closes a restaurant, the establishment must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before it is permitted to reopen to the public. This process is designed to ensure that conditions posing potential risks to public health are corrected before food service resumes.

Inspection History

Sanmiwago's inspection record with DOHMH shows a pattern of fluctuating scores over the past several years:

  • November 19, 2024: Score of 13, Grade A
  • April 30, 2024: Score of 23, no grade recorded
  • August 10, 2023: Score of 19, Grade B
  • July 25, 2023: Score of 41, no grade recorded

The restaurant's most recent prior inspection in November 2024 resulted in a Grade A with a score of 13, indicating that the establishment was meeting DOHMH standards at that time. However, the history also shows earlier periods where the restaurant received higher scores, including a 41-point score in July 2023.

The March 2026 score of 65 represents the highest score in the restaurant's available inspection history and marks the first recorded closure for the establishment in the data reviewed.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:

  • Grade A: 0 to 13 points — the restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
  • Grade B: 14 to 27 points — some violations were identified that require correction
  • Grade C: 28 or more points — significant violations were documented during the inspection

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection, typically within a month. The grade posted at the restaurant reflects the better score between the initial inspection and the re-inspection. Restaurants also have the option to contest their grades through the city's administrative tribunal process.

Sanmiwago's score of 65 falls into the Grade C category. The establishment will need to pass a re-inspection conducted by DOHMH before it can reopen and receive a new grade.

Public Resources

Consumers can look up the inspection history of any restaurant in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. The database includes inspection dates, scores, grades, and detailed violation descriptions for all inspected food service establishments in the five boroughs.

For questions about food safety or to report concerns about a restaurant, residents can contact DOHMH through the city's 311 service or visit the department's website.

More About This Restaurant

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