Brooklyn, NY — Umi Buffet, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 3839 Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on April 1, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 75, placing it squarely in C-grade territory, and inspectors cited two critical violations that prompted the immediate closure. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 3, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented three violations during the April 1 visit — two classified as critical and one non-critical.

The first critical violation, cited under Code 04M, involved the presence of live roaches in the facility's food or non-food areas. Live pest activity in a food service establishment presents a direct risk of contamination and is among the violations that can trigger immediate closure under city health regulations.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 04H, involved food that was found to be adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the facility's Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan. HACCP protocols are federally recognized food safety standards designed to identify and control biological, chemical, and physical hazards throughout the food preparation process.

A non-critical violation was also recorded under Code 10B, which covers drainage and sewage-related deficiencies. Specifically, inspectors noted that an anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device was not provided where required, or that equipment or flooring was not properly drained. While non-critical violations do not carry the same immediate public health weight as critical ones, they contribute to the overall inspection score and can indicate broader maintenance or sanitation concerns.

According to DOHMH, violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment was closed pending compliance.

Food Safety Context

The violations documented at Umi Buffet fall under the jurisdiction of NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Article 81 sets standards for food handling, storage, preparation, pest control, and facility maintenance.

The critical roach violation aligns with provisions prohibiting the presence of pests that may contaminate food or food-contact surfaces. Cockroaches are known vectors of pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and various gastrointestinal bacteria, and their presence near food preparation or storage areas is considered an imminent health hazard under both city and federal guidelines.

The food adulteration violation under Code 04H corresponds to standards outlined in the FDA Food Code, which defines adulterated food as any product that has been rendered unsafe or unsuitable for consumption through improper handling, contamination, or failure to follow approved food safety plans. In a buffet-style setting — where food is held at temperature and exposed to the public for extended periods — HACCP compliance is particularly important in preventing foodborne illness.

The drainage-related violation under Code 10B, while non-critical, is relevant under Article 81 provisions requiring that all plumbing and sewage systems function properly to prevent conditions that could contribute to pest activity or unsanitary buildup.

Inspection History

Umi Buffet's compliance record over the past several years shows a pattern of elevated scores and ongoing violations:

  • July 24, 2025: Score 53 (Grade Z)
  • February 11, 2025: Score 28
  • June 28, 2023: Score 27 (Grade B)
  • May 23, 2023: Score 35

The restaurant's most recent prior inspection in July 2025 resulted in a score of 53, also falling well above the threshold for a satisfactory grade. A Grade Z designation is typically applied when a restaurant is in the re-inspection process or when a grade is pending. The February 2025 visit produced a score of 28 — just above the cutoff for a B grade. Results from 2023 show a similar pattern, with scores of 27 and 35 recorded within weeks of each other, suggesting the restaurant has had recurring difficulty maintaining consistent compliance.

The April 1, 2026 score of 75 represents the highest recorded score in the restaurant's recent inspection history and resulted in the current closure action.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the numerical score an establishment receives during inspection. Lower scores reflect fewer or less severe violations:

  • A grade (0–13 points): Indicates a high standard of compliance with city health code requirements
  • B grade (14–27 points): Indicates good compliance with some noted deficiencies
  • C grade (28 or more points): Indicates significant violations that require corrective action

Scores are calculated by assigning point values to each violation based on its severity and public health risk. Critical violations carry higher point values than non-critical ones. Establishments that score in the B or C range are typically subject to re-inspection, and those with scores high enough to indicate imminent public health hazards may be closed on the spot.

Residents can look up current and historical inspection results for any NYC food service establishment through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available at nyc.gov. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data is released.

More About This Restaurant

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