Manhattan, NY — Sushi Star, a Japanese restaurant located at 462 9th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a score of 45 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 11, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, a significant departure from the restaurant's previously consistent Grade A record.

The inspection identified three non-critical violations across areas including facility use, lighting, and pest prevention. No critical violations were documented during this inspection cycle. The data was released by DOHMH on February 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most notable violation cited during the inspection involved a food service operation occurring in a room or area used as living or sleeping quarters (Code 09D). NYC health regulations require that food preparation and service take place in dedicated spaces that meet sanitary standards, and the use of residential areas for food operations presents contamination and sanitation concerns.

Inspectors also documented inadequate lighting in the establishment (Code 10C). Permanent lighting was found to be insufficient in food preparation areas, ware washing areas, and storage rooms. Additionally, the facility lacked shatterproof bulbs or protective shields designed to prevent broken glass from falling into food or onto food-contact surfaces. Proper illumination is essential for staff to identify contamination, monitor food quality, and maintain cleanliness throughout operations.

The third violation noted that the establishment was not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests (Code 08A). This does not necessarily indicate that inspectors observed live pests during the visit, but rather that environmental conditions — such as gaps, cracks, clutter, or improper waste storage — could attract or harbor pest activity.

Food Safety Context

Restaurant inspections in New York City are conducted under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes requirements for food service establishments covering sanitation, facility maintenance, food handling, and pest management. These standards align with the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for food safety regulations nationwide.

The requirement for dedicated food preparation spaces, separate from living quarters, exists to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that food is handled in environments that can be properly sanitized and monitored. Adequate lighting requirements help staff and inspectors identify potential hazards, while pest prevention measures are foundational to food safety, as pests can transmit pathogens and contaminate food products and preparation surfaces.

While all three violations documented at Sushi Star were classified as non-critical, the cumulative point total of 45 reflects multiple areas where the facility fell short of regulatory standards.

Inspection History

Sushi Star's February 2026 inspection marks a notable shift from the restaurant's prior performance. Previous inspections consistently placed the establishment within Grade A range:

  • 2024-10-15: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • 2023-05-16: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • 2022-04-07: Score 10 (Grade A)

The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across all three prior inspection cycles on record, with scores ranging from 10 to 13 points. The current score of 45 represents a 33-point increase from the most recent prior inspection and is the establishment's lowest recorded result.

Under NYC inspection procedures, restaurants that receive initial scores of 28 or above are typically scheduled for a re-inspection, during which the establishment has the opportunity to correct cited violations and potentially achieve a lower score.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores, with lower scores indicating fewer violations:

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

Restaurants must post their current grade card in a location visible to the public. Establishments that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may contest the grade through the city's administrative tribunal process and will receive a re-inspection.

Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH website or the NYC 311 system. Full inspection data, including specific violation codes and historical scores, is available as public record through NYC Open Data.

More About This Restaurant

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