Brooklyn, NY — Yummy 88, a Chinese restaurant at 130 Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a health inspection conducted on January 23, 2026. Inspectors documented a critical food safety violation related to adulterated or contaminated food, resulting in a score of 19 points. The closure was the second for the establishment in less than two weeks.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 23 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Yummy 88 for one critical violation:
- Food Contamination (Code 04H): Raw, cooked, or prepared food was found to be adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with the establishment's HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan.
This violation falls under one of the most serious categories in the NYC restaurant inspection framework. Code 04H addresses the fundamental requirement that food served to the public must be safe, uncontaminated, and handled according to established safety protocols. When inspectors determine that food has been adulterated or cross-contaminated, the risk of foodborne illness is considered immediate and significant.
No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection. The establishment received a total score of 19 points, which falls within the Grade B range of 14 to 27 points. However, because the violations required immediate corrective action, DOHMH ordered the restaurant closed rather than allowing continued operation.
Food Safety Context
The critical violation cited at Yummy 88 relates directly to provisions outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments in New York City. Article 81 requires that all food prepared and served in restaurants be safe for consumption, properly stored, and handled in a manner that prevents contamination.
The HACCP plan referenced in the violation is a systematic approach to food safety required by the FDA Food Code. HACCP plans identify potential hazards in food preparation and establish critical control points where those hazards can be prevented or eliminated. When an establishment fails to follow its HACCP plan, or when food is found to be adulterated or cross-contaminated, it indicates a breakdown in the fundamental controls designed to prevent foodborne illness.
Cross-contamination — when harmful bacteria or other contaminants transfer from one food item, surface, or utensil to another — is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in restaurant settings. The FDA Food Code establishes specific requirements for separating raw and cooked foods, maintaining proper storage temperatures, and ensuring that food preparation surfaces are properly sanitized between uses.
DOHMH inspectors are authorized under NYC Health Code Article 81 to order the immediate closure of any food service establishment when conditions pose an imminent threat to public health. Closed establishments must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before they are permitted to reopen.
Inspection History
Yummy 88's January 23 closure was part of a pattern of inspection activity in early 2026. The restaurant's recent inspection record shows repeated issues over a short period:
- January 30, 2026: Score 2, Grade Z — establishment reopened following re-inspection
- January 23, 2026: Score 19, Grade B range — establishment closed by DOHMH (critical food contamination violation)
- January 14, 2026: Score 63 — establishment closed by DOHMH
The record indicates that Yummy 88 was first closed on January 14 after receiving a score of 63 points, which is well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C. Nine days later, on January 23, the restaurant was closed a second time with the food contamination violation detailed above. The establishment subsequently passed re-inspection on January 30 with a score of just 2 points and was permitted to reopen.
The significant drop from a score of 63 to a score of 2 between the January 14 closure and the January 30 re-inspection suggests that substantial corrective measures were implemented by the restaurant. The Grade Z designation on the January 30 record indicates a re-inspection or adjudication outcome rather than a standard letter grade.
It should be noted that this inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 10, 2026, approximately 18 days after the January 23 inspection. There may be a lag between when inspections occur and when results are published in the public database.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points documented during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — indicates minimal violations
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — indicates moderate violations
- Grade C: 28 or more points — indicates significant violations
Lower scores represent fewer and less serious violations. Critical violations carry higher point values than general (non-critical) violations. Restaurants that score 28 or above, or that present conditions requiring immediate action, may be closed until violations are corrected.
Yummy 88's score of 19 points on January 23 placed it in the Grade B range, though the nature of the critical violation led to closure rather than a posted grade.
New York City residents can look up inspection results for any restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database includes inspection dates, scores, violation details, and any enforcement actions taken.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Yummy 88 including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.