Manhattan, NY — Sugarfish By Sushi Nozawa, a popular sushi restaurant at 202 Spring Street in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, received a score of 45 points during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 4, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. The inspection identified one critical violation related to improper cold food storage temperatures. The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 4 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a critical violation under code 02G: cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were being held above 41°F. This violation category also encompasses smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures, except during active necessary preparation.

For a sushi restaurant that specializes in raw and prepared fish dishes, temperature control is a particularly significant food safety concern. Cold TCS foods must be maintained at proper temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.

No non-critical violations were documented during this inspection. The restaurant's action status indicated that violations were cited in the relevant area, and the establishment remained open following the inspection.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control for cold foods is one of the most closely monitored aspects of restaurant food safety. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, cold TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below to limit bacterial growth. Smoked and processed fish carry a stricter threshold of 38°F due to the elevated risk of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum.

The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures as a leading contributing factor in foodborne illness outbreaks. When cold foods rise above required temperatures, bacteria can multiply rapidly, entering what food safety professionals refer to as the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F. This is especially relevant for raw seafood preparations, where cooking does not serve as a final step to eliminate pathogens.

Restaurants cited for temperature control violations are expected to take corrective action to bring food items back into compliance and to implement procedures that prevent recurrence.

Inspection History

The Grade C score of 45 represents a notable departure from Sugarfish By Sushi Nozawa's recent inspection record. The restaurant's prior inspections show:

  • November 6, 2024: Score of 12 (Grade A)
  • November 16, 2023: Score of 21 (Grade B)
  • March 13, 2023: Score of 20

The restaurant had been operating under a Grade A following its November 2024 inspection, when it scored 12 points. The jump from 12 to 45 points represents a significant increase, moving the restaurant from the top grading tier to the lowest.

It should be noted that a single inspection represents a snapshot of conditions at the time of the visit. Restaurants that receive scores in Grade C range have the option to request a re-inspection to potentially improve their grade.

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 accumulated during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed. Critical violations, such as improper food temperatures, generally carry higher point values than general violations. A score of 45 with only one critical violation cited suggests that the violation may have involved multiple food items or conditions that resulted in compounded point assessments.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may post the letter grade or choose to post a "Grade Pending" card while awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, scores, and grade histories for all inspected food service establishments in the city.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Sugarfish By Sushi Nozawa including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.