Five Spices House
Last inspected: Nov 4, 2025
64
Score
Five Spices House appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. Five Spices House was last inspected on Nov 4, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood contact surfaces” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
By comparison, the average Boston facility scores 86, putting Five Spices House on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 4, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple foods without date marking. Provide for all foods held longer than 24 hours.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Plastic containers observed in bulk spices. Discontinue.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled foil on cookline. Remove. Surfaces must be easily cleanable.
590.004/4-101.19-C
Storage-other personal care items (c)
Inspector notes: Personal items stored in kitchen area. Discontinue.
590.007/7-209.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 bay sink in basement observed leaking. Repair.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Uncovered bulk product in basement and walk in cooler. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only signage for all hand sinks.
590.006/6-301.14-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Clean utensils stored on shelf above mop sink. Discontinue.
590.003/3-307.11-C
64
Oct 27, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
System maintained in good repair (p)
Inspector notes: Owner stating the sprinkler discharged in the basement.Repair sprinkler from a licensed company. Provide all repair documentation to the Health Department.
590.005/5-205.15-P
Discarding or reconditioning unsafe adulterated or contaminated food (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple food items exposed to water & smoke damage loss of power from the resulting basement fire. Contact ISD Health to discuss a food condemnation with a supervisor.
590.003/3-701.11-P
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: Fire in the establishment basement sprinkler discharged Food items affected smoke odors present & water damage throughout. Power & water were shut off by BFD Upon my arrival I could not gain access to the basement due to 1-2 feet of standing water Assistant Commissioner Dan Prendergast notified. Voluntary closure issued. PIC Instructed to provide all necessary repairs clean/sanitize/disinfect using a professional licensed restoration company provide all documentation be re-inspected by building electrical & health for approval to re-open.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Fire in the establishment. Provide all necessary repairs to damaged equipment as needed. Provide repair documentation to the health depaertment.
590.006/6-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Remove all standing water(basement) Clean/sanitize/disinfect the location throughout(fire/sprinkler discharge-basement) Provide all cleaning documentation to the Health Department.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Surface characteristics-indoor areas (c)
Inspector notes: Floor heavily damaged behind the host stand basement ceiling also. Repair as needed
590.006/6-101.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean/sanitize/disinfect all exposed equipment.counters.tables wares ect... Provide all cleaning documents be re-inspected for approval to re-open.
590.004/4-602.13-C
55
Jul 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease barrels observed with heavy grease build up. Clean to remove.
590.005/5-501.15-C
95
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings observed in back alley way. Referred to environmental services.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: Back alley way observed with excess items and trash outside. Remove.
590.006/6-501.114-C
Outside receptacles (c)
Inspector notes: Grease barrels observed with heavy grease build up. Clean to remove.
590.005/5-501.15-C
82
Feb 15, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine at 0ppm after multiple attempts. Person in charge called for service. Tech on site at end of inspection.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Items in stand up refrigerator observed uncovered. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee on production line without proper hair restraint. Person in charge corrected.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled traps in basement. Remove.
590.006/6-501.112-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Dish machine observed leaking. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling above three bay sink observed with soils. Walk in cooler fan is heavily soiled. Clean to remove
590.004/4-602.13-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Grease build up observed on hood filters. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed spices being stored on the ground in basement area. Elevate to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
64
Jul 24, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Old chicken boxes and foam fish boxes used to store bags of raw meat and portion containers. Discard chicken and fish boxes. Discontinue using boxes for storage- assume boxes are contaminated. Corrected on site
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with black mold-like substance. Clean to prevent contamination
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of cook line reach-in cooler with soils and debris Floor under cookline- wok fryers and stove with grease and debris. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Basement floor near walk-in freezer with old mouse droppings. Clean and monitor for activity.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at cookline with soils. Clean and maintain to prevent contamination from hands
590.006/6-501.18-C
70
Feb 1, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Containers of raw meat stored above cut vegetables in kitchen reach-in cooler. Store raw meat below vegetables produce and ready to eat foods. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Mouse droppings in basement around area in front of walk-in cooler. Clean and sanitize area. Discard any unused boxes or equipment. Dry area to avoid attracting pests. Provide current pest report from licensed pest control operator.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with black mold-like substance. Clean and maintain to prevent contamination.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Pint cup used for scooping rice stored in rice cooker. Discontinue using pint cup to scoop rice and do not leave scoop in rice cooker. Use a utensil with a handle to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Container of rice moodels stored on floor under 3 compartment sink with soiled lid. Store food off the floor in clean containers to prevent possible contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: Bathroom waste bins are not covered. Provide covered waste bins for bathrooms.
590.005/5-501.17-C
Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)
Inspector notes: Basin of prep area hand sink soiled. Clean basin and discontinue using hand sink for food prep. Hand sinks are for hand washing only.
590.006/6-501.18-C
58
Jul 19, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken stored above prepped food in walk-in cooler. Containers of prepped food stored in old chicken boxes. Discontinue using old chicken boxes for storage. Assume boxes are contaminated and must be discarded.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer on low temp dish machine not registering. Ensure chemical sanitizer is connected to machine at all times. Corrected on site.
590.004/4-501.114-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with black and orange mold-like substance. Clean and maintain to prevent contamination.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Old mouse droppings in basement near walk-in freezer. Clean and monitor for activity. Exterior of dish machine soiled. Floor under dish machine with soils and debris. Clean dish machine and warewashing area.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Flats of eggs stored on stairs. Do not store food on the floor.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: No covered trash bin in upstairs bathroom. Provide covered waste bin.
590.005/5-501.17-C
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Five Spices House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Five Spices House on file is from Nov 4, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Five Spices House?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Five Spices House.
How does Five Spices House compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Five Spices House most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Five Spices House's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Five Spices House have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Five Spices House 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 Five Spices House inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Five Spices House is inspected around two times per year on average.
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