Queens, NY — Zhang Liang Hot Pot, a Chinese restaurant located at 136-49 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, received a score of 38 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 17, 2026. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 25, 2026.

The inspection documented one non-critical violation and zero critical violations.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one violation under Code 10F, which addresses non-food contact surfaces and equipment. Specifically, inspectors noted that equipment surfaces were either constructed of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate cleaning access on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

Non-food contact surfaces include items such as shelving, equipment exteriors, storage racks, and ventilation components — areas that do not come into direct contact with food but are nonetheless required to be maintained in a sanitary condition to prevent the accumulation of grease, debris, and potential pest harborage.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, all food service establishments operating in New York City are subject to unannounced inspections by DOHMH. Inspectors evaluate compliance across a range of food safety standards, and each violation is assigned a point value based on its type and severity. Scores are cumulative, and the resulting grade reflects overall compliance at the time of inspection.

The FDA Food Code, which informs many of the standards applied during city inspections, establishes requirements for equipment design and maintenance to minimize conditions that could contribute to contamination or pest activity. Code 10F violations, while classified as non-critical, reflect maintenance conditions that inspectors determined did not meet those baseline standards.

It is worth noting that the March 2026 inspection documented zero critical violations — meaning inspectors did not identify conditions directly linked to foodborne illness risk, such as improper food temperatures, evidence of pests, or food from unapproved sources. The Grade C designation resulted from the point value assigned to the single non-critical violation cited.

Inspection History

Zhang Liang Hot Pot has a varied inspection record over the past three years:

  • January 15, 2026: Score 58
  • October 15, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • August 5, 2024: Score 35
  • January 29, 2024: Score 25 (Grade B)
  • June 20, 2023: Score 19

The restaurant achieved a Grade A with a score of 13 in October 2024, reflecting strong compliance at that time. Scores in subsequent inspections have been higher, including a score of 58 recorded in January 2026 — the highest in the restaurant's recent history. The March 2026 score of 38, while still in Grade C range, represents an improvement from that January result.

Under DOHMH procedures, restaurants that receive a score of 14 or higher during an initial inspection are typically subject to a re-inspection before a final grade is issued and posted. Restaurants may also request an administrative tribunal hearing to contest cited violations.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

The DOHMH uses a letter grading system based on inspection scores:

  • Grade A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points

Grades are required to be publicly posted at the restaurant's entrance. Inspection records, including violation details and score history, are available to the public through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at nyc.gov/health.

Diners with questions about a specific restaurant's inspection record can search by establishment name, address, or cuisine type through the city's online portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Zhang Liang Hot Pot including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.