Chinese Dragon
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2026
58
Score
Inspectors have visited Chinese Dragon nine times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 13, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around five violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance”, showing up seven times.
That's lower than the typical East Boston restaurant, which scores around 91. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Rice 75F chicken fingers 68F bean sprouts 66F / Items out at room temperature / PIC stated they had been out for 1 hour. Items have been moved to refrigeration to cool back down / Provide 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide test kits for chlorine used to sanitize
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Where to wash (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed employee rinsing hands in rinse bay of 3 bay sink / Discontinue and ensure staff are properly trained on where and how to wash hands
590.002/2-301.15-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink blocked with trays on food resting on basin / Remove and ensure hand sinks remain free and clear at all times.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Fixutres such as fan and fire extinguisher with visible soils and grease build up / Clean to remove
590.006/6-501.12-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Remove cardboard from floors
590.006/6-101.11-C
58
Jun 10, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Slicer with dried up food debris. Clean and sanitize properly.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area used to store soiled utensil. Discontinue use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Some refrigerating units interior soiled. Some storage shelves soiled.---Clean properly.
590.004/4-601.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed knives stored between equipment. Store properly on a clean/sanitized surface.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under and around cooking line soiled. Clean all properly.
590.006/6-501.12-C
70
Mar 3, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at cooking line used to store soiled utensils. Discontinue use for handwashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Toilet rooms enclosed (c)
Inspector notes: Toilet door with broken self-closing fixture. Repair.
590.006/6-202.14-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior of cooking line equipment soiled. Some refrigerating units at both level soiled. Some bulk food units soiled.---- Clean properly.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Some food containers without labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths store soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
67
Nov 23, 2024
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
(a) ceasing operations and reporting (pf)
Inspector notes: Imminent Health Hazard -Water main break caused interruption of running water in the establishment. Repair work being performed by BWS- Remain closed until running water is restored. Call Health Department at 617-635 -5326 8am - 4pm or after hours at 617-635-4500 for aproval to re-open.
590.008/8-404.11-PF
90
Sep 12, 2024
Routine
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without soap. Provide.
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area and cooking line used to store soiled utensils. Discontinue use for warewashing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Several food items in walk-in without date marking provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without paper towels. Provide.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Several food items placed in large plastic container in ambient temperature for cooling. Cool properly using proper cooling methods.
590.003/3-501.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Several counters soiled and covered with soiled foil. Exterior of several equipment and handsinks soiled. Exterior of several bulk food units soiled.------ Clean all properly.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cutting board heavily scored. Resurface or replace.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors under and around cooking line and at the storage/prep area soiled. Clean all properly.
590.006/6-501.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths stored soiled on counters. Store properly in sanitizer solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
52
Nov 13, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Chicken 56F Pork 59F Rice 62F Bean sprouts 50F Beef 57F / All food sitting out on counters / Put back into refrigeration to cool down after being out for less than an hour / provide 41F or below
590.003/3-501.16-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Both hand sinks blocked with food trays and bowls in basin / remove and ensure hand sinks are kept free and clear at all times
590.005/5-205.11-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Knives stored in between equipment / Remove and store clean and dry
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Floors near the walk in with visible soils / Clean to remove Storage racks in downstairs prep - visibly soiled and rusted / Clean and repaint Walls going downstairs worn / Repaint
590.006/6-501.12-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Remove soiled cardboard from floors and walk in floors
590.006/6-101.11-C
67
Jul 17, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Several not in use equipment piled up on the rear. Remove. Clean the area around.
590.006/6-501.114-C
95
Jan 3, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Rice- 50F Chicken fingers 60F Garlic in oil 70F / All out for lunch rush / Moved to refrigeration to cool back down. Discussed keeping a small amount of food for orders during the lunch rush and replenishing from refrigeration when needed
590.003/3-501.16-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink faucet wrapped in plastic / Remove plastic and ensure hand sinks are free and clear at all times
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide test kits for chemical used in 3 bay sink
590.004/4-302.14-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Meat slicer visibly soiled with old food debris / Disassemble clean and sanitize.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Large rodent droppings and other food debris noted under pepsi fridge and stand up reach in / Move refrigeration away from the walls and provide a deep clean. Maintain daily checks of floors and keep clean. PIC states exterminations are done bi-weekly but cannot provide IPM reports at time and cannot verify name of company. Provide IPM reports
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Remove cardboard from all floors in kitchen and walk in
590.006/6-101.11-C
Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: Provide a deep cleaning of all floors and walls throughout the entire establishment and maintain a daily cleaning schedule.
590.006/6-501.12-C
52
Aug 1, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sprouts 75F Rice 72F / Out for the lunch rush for an hour. Moved back to refrigeration to cool down / Provide 41F or below.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Clean condition-hands and arms (p)
Inspector notes: Food handlers are unable to properly wash hands due to both hand sinks not properly set up.
590.002/2-301.11-P
Where to wash (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed food handler rinsing hands in the 3 bay sink / Discontinue and ensure all hand washing is done in the hand sink.
590.002/2-301.15-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hot water at hand sink on cookline turned off / Keep hot water on in order to properly wash hands
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Handwashing cleanser availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide liquid hand soap at the hand sink downstairs
590.006/6-301.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels at the hand sink downstairs
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths out on cutting board / Move to sanitizer solution when not in use
590.003/3-304.14-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Remove cardboard from floors and shelves
590.006/6-101.11-C
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Chinese Dragon last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Chinese Dragon on file is from Jan 13, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Chinese Dragon?
Across the inspection record, “using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Chinese Dragon.
How does Chinese Dragon compare to other restaurants in East Boston?
Chinese Dragon most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.
Has Chinese Dragon's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Chinese Dragon have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Chinese Dragon means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Chinese Dragon inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Chinese Dragon is inspected around three times per year on average.
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