Brooklyn, NY — Sushi Yashin, a Japanese restaurant located at 381 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 35 during a health inspection conducted on March 4, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the visit.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant finding was a critical violation: no manager or supervisor of food operations held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). Under NYC Health Code Article 81, every food service establishment is required to have at least one supervisory employee on-site who holds a current FPC issued by the DOHMH. This certificate demonstrates that the individual has completed an approved food safety course and passed an examination covering proper food handling, temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and other essential safety practices.

The absence of a certified food protection manager means there was no verified supervisory oversight of food safety protocols at the time of the inspection. This is classified as a critical violation because the FPC requirement serves as a foundational safeguard ensuring that at least one person in a position of authority understands and can enforce proper food handling procedures.

Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation related to dishwashing and ware washing practices. The cleaning and sanitizing of tableware — including dishes, utensils, and equipment — was found to be deficient. Proper ware washing is essential for preventing the transmission of foodborne illness, as inadequately sanitized surfaces can harbor harmful bacteria.

Food Safety Context

The Food Protection Certificate requirement is established under NYC Health Code Article 81.15 and aligns with the FDA Food Code's recommendation that food establishments employ at least one certified food protection manager. The certificate covers critical topics including time and temperature control for potentially hazardous foods, personal hygiene practices, and allergen awareness.

The FDA Food Code identifies improper holding temperatures, poor personal hygiene, and contaminated equipment as leading contributors to foodborne illness outbreaks in food service settings. The ware washing deficiency noted during this inspection relates directly to equipment contamination risks. The FDA recommends that food-contact surfaces be washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and at regular intervals during continuous operation.

A score of 35 places Sushi Yashin well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. Under NYC's system, lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health regulations.

Inspection History

Sushi Yashin's prior inspection record with DOHMH includes:

  • 2025-12-16: Score 22 (Grade N)

The previous inspection in December 2025 resulted in a score of 22 with a Grade N designation, indicating the restaurant was in the re-inspection cycle at that time. The current score of 35 represents an increase of 13 points from the prior visit, indicating that compliance declined between the two inspections.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on violation points accumulated during inspections:

  • A: 0–13 points — the highest grade, indicating minimal violations
  • B: 14–27 points — moderate violations documented
  • C: 28 or more points — significant violations found

Each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed. Critical violations, which pose a higher risk to public health, generally carry more points than non-critical violations. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade on an initial inspection have the option to request a re-inspection to potentially improve their score.

All restaurant inspection data referenced in this article is public record, available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history on the NYC DOHMH website or through the NYC Open Data portal. The inspection results reflect conditions documented at the time of the inspector's visit and may not represent current conditions at the establishment.

More About This Restaurant

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