Manhattan, NY — Wok In Duane, an Asian fusion restaurant located at 181 Duane Street in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, received a score of 41 points during a health inspection conducted on February 13, 2026, placing the establishment in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 17, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 13 inspection, inspectors cited Wok In Duane for a non-critical violation related to plumbing and drainage systems. Specifically, the restaurant was cited under violation code 10B for issues involving anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices not being provided where required. The citation also noted that equipment or floors were not properly drained, and that condensation or liquid waste was being improperly disposed of.
While the violation was classified as non-critical, the restaurant's overall score of 41 points indicates that additional factors contributed to the total point assessment during the inspection. Under the DOHMH scoring system, points are assigned based on the nature and severity of conditions observed, with higher scores reflecting a greater number or severity of documented conditions.
The score of 41 points places Wok In Duane well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation, which is the lowest letter grade assigned under the city's restaurant grading program.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program is governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes the sanitary standards that food service establishments must maintain. The inspection process evaluates restaurants across a range of categories including food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and plumbing systems.
The plumbing and drainage issues cited at Wok In Duane relate to requirements under both the NYC Health Code and the FDA Food Code, which emphasize the importance of proper sewage disposal and back-flow prevention in food service environments. Anti-siphonage devices are required to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into clean water supply lines, a critical safeguard in any establishment that prepares and serves food.
Improper drainage and liquid waste disposal can create conditions that affect overall sanitation within a food preparation environment. The FDA Food Code specifies that plumbing systems in food establishments must be designed and maintained to prevent contamination of food, equipment, and utensils.
Inspection History
Wok In Duane's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:
- October 28, 2025: Score 30 (Grade N)
- February 13, 2026: Score 41 (Grade C)
The October 2025 inspection resulted in a score of 30, which also exceeded the Grade C threshold. A Grade N designation indicates that the grade was not yet determined at that point in the inspection cycle. The February 2026 score of 41 represents an increase of 11 points from the previous inspection, indicating that conditions documented during the most recent visit were assessed at a higher point total than those found approximately four months earlier.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores, with lower scores indicating fewer or less severe conditions documented:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C after an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. The letter grade posted at the establishment reflects the best score achieved during the current inspection cycle. Restaurants may also contest their scores through an administrative hearing process overseen by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH online database. Consumers can look up inspection histories for any restaurant in the city by visiting the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal or by checking the letter grade card posted at the entrance of each establishment.
For the most current information on Wok In Duane's inspection status and grade, residents can visit the NYC DOHMH restaurant inspection results page or review the grade card displayed at 181 Duane Street.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Wok In Duane including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.