Manhattan, NY — Wa Lung Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant located at 557 Grand Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection on April 7, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 74, placing the establishment firmly within Grade C range. The closure followed the identification of two critical violations and one non-critical violation. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited three violations during the April 7 visit, two of which were classified as critical.

The first critical violation, Code 04K, documented evidence of rats or live rats in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of rodents in a food service environment poses a direct risk of contamination and is among the most serious categories of violations tracked by DOHMH.

The second critical violation, Code 04O, noted a live animal other than a fish in a tank or a service animal present in the facility's food or non-food area. Under NYC Health Code regulations, unauthorized live animals in food service establishments are prohibited due to the risk of disease transmission and contamination.

A non-critical violation, Code 28-06, was also recorded. Inspectors found that the restaurant did not have a contract in place with a licensed pest management professional, and no records of extermination activities were maintained on the premises. This violation is directly relevant given the rodent activity identified during the same inspection.

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

Food Safety Context

The violations identified at Wa Lung Kitchen fall under the regulatory framework established by NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments operating within New York City. Article 81 sets standards for food handling, facility sanitation, pest control, and general operational conditions.

The presence of rodents in a food service facility is addressed under both Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, which classifies rodent activity as a significant public health hazard. Rodents can contaminate food surfaces and storage areas with pathogens including Salmonella and Leptospira, and their presence indicates potential structural vulnerabilities such as gaps in walls, floors, or utility entry points that allow access to the facility.

The absence of a pest management contract, cited under Code 28-06, is a separate but related concern. DOHMH requires that food service operators maintain ongoing pest management programs and retain documentation of extermination activities on site. This recordkeeping requirement allows inspectors to assess whether the facility is actively managing pest risks between inspections.

When DOHMH inspectors identify violations that pose an immediate public health risk — including active rodent presence — they are authorized to order a closure of the establishment until the hazardous conditions are corrected and the facility passes a re-inspection.

Inspection History

Wa Lung Kitchen's inspection record over the past several years reflects a pattern of variability in compliance:

  • January 26, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • August 30, 2022: Score 16 (no grade issued)
  • April 19, 2023: Score 21 (Grade B)
  • October 22, 2024: Score 51 (no grade issued)
  • December 26, 2024: Score 24 (Grade Z)
  • April 7, 2026: Score 74 (Grade C), closed by DOHMH

The restaurant earned a Grade A in early 2022 with a score of 10, indicating strong compliance at that time. Scores rose through 2022 and 2023, reaching 51 in October 2024 — a score that does not result in a letter grade being posted under NYC's grading system, as it typically reflects an inspection cycle in progress. The December 2024 inspection resulted in a Grade Z designation, which is used when a restaurant has been inspected but a grade is pending adjudication or the operator has requested a re-inspection for grade purposes.

The April 2026 score of 74 represents the highest recorded score in the restaurant's recent history and resulted in the DOHMH closure action.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system to communicate inspection results to the public. Grades are posted at restaurant entrances and reflect the score from the most recent scored inspection:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (best performance)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points
  • Grade Z or Grade Pending: Displayed when a grade is under adjudication or a re-inspection for grade has been requested

Each point in the scoring system corresponds to a specific violation. Critical violations, which carry higher point values, involve conditions most directly linked to foodborne illness risk.

Consumers can look up the current inspection status and full violation history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online database at nyc.gov/health. The database is updated as new inspection data is processed and released.

More About This Restaurant

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