Manhattan, NY — Yoi Ramen & Tea, a Japanese restaurant at 573 2nd Avenue in Murray Hill, received a Grade B score of 26 points during a health inspection conducted on March 2, 2026. The score places the restaurant at the upper end of the Grade B range, just one point below the 28-point threshold that triggers a Grade C designation.

Inspectors identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation during the inspection. The data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 5, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The critical violation cited involves the restaurant's HACCP plan — a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points protocol required for certain food preparation processes. Inspectors documented that no approved HACCP plan was maintained on the premises (violation code 06G). HACCP plans are required when restaurants engage in specialized food processing methods such as smoking, curing, or reduced-oxygen packaging, and the absence of an approved plan represents a gap in documented food safety controls.

The non-critical violation (code 10B) involved plumbing and drainage issues. Inspectors noted deficiencies related to anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper drainage of equipment or floors, or improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste. While classified as non-critical, plumbing issues can create conditions that affect overall sanitation if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

HACCP plans are a cornerstone of the FDA Food Code's approach to food safety management. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, restaurants conducting certain specialized food processes must develop and maintain an approved HACCP plan that identifies potential hazards and establishes critical control points to prevent foodborne illness. The absence of such a plan does not necessarily indicate that unsafe food was being served, but it means the required documentation and oversight framework was not in place for inspectors to verify.

Back-flow prevention devices, cited in the non-critical violation, are required under New York City plumbing codes to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the clean water supply. Proper drainage systems are essential to maintaining sanitary conditions in food preparation and service areas.

Inspection History

The Grade B marks a notable change from Yoi Ramen & Tea's recent inspection performance:

  • 2024-11-20: Score 12, Grade A
  • 2024-06-11: Score 44, no grade issued
  • 2022-12-20: Score 11, Grade A

The restaurant had earned Grade A scores in its two most recent graded inspections, with scores of 12 and 11 points respectively. However, the June 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 44 points, suggesting the restaurant has experienced periodic compliance challenges. The current score of 26 represents an improvement over that mid-2024 result but a decline from the Grade A performance recorded in November 2024.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the DOHMH grading system:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer violation points and better compliance with health regulations. A score of 26 falls near the top of the Grade B range, meaning the restaurant was one additional violation point away from receiving a Grade C.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. Inspection results and grades for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can review the full inspection history for Yoi Ramen & Tea and any other NYC restaurant at [NYCRestaurantInspections.com](https://nycrestaurantinspections.com).

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Yoi Ramen & Tea including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.