Gong Cha
Last inspected: Apr 6, 2026
52
Score
Gong Cha appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 6, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood contact surfaces” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
The city-wide average sits at 86, which Gong Cha's 52 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 6, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed a metal container with prepared tapioca pearls that per the person in charge had been prepared in the morning at 83F; hold TCS foods at 135F and above or 41F and below. The staff voluntarily discarded the tapioca pearls.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Assignment (pf)
Inspector notes: The assigned person in charge was not able to answer questions about food temperature safety illness policy and sanitization and was not able to set up the three compartment sink; provide a person in charge who is knowlegable about food safety illness policy and sanitization.
590.002(A)/2-101.11-PF
Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)
Inspector notes: No vomit and diarrhea clean-up procedures were able to be presented during the inspection; provide.
590.002/2-501.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: At the hand sink directly next to the entrance to the back of house and at the hand sink in the bathroom there were no approved hand drying devices at the hand sinks; provide hand drying devices at all times at the hand sinks.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: The posted certified food protection manager and allergy awareness certificates expired in 2025; provide update certificates upon the reinspection.
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food handlers handling foods without effective hair restraints; provide effective hair restraints for food handlers.
590.002/2-402.11-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: The interiors of the cabinets below the side-by-side sinks in the food prep area are heavily encrusted in soils the wall above the white wire rack above the induction cooktops is heavily soiled; clean and sanitize of soils.
590.004/4-601.11-C
52
Jul 18, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: CFPM expires next week. Allergen certification expired last month. Provide current certifications.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Spills in back hallway and in trash cabinet next to counter. Water and soils in cabinet under shaker bar. Clean and sanitize all areas. Maintain areas clean and dry.
590.004/4-602.13-C
90
Feb 21, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quats sanitizer testing over 500ppm Diluted to 200ppm. Review with staff for correct dilution.
590.007/7-204.11-P
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and water under service line sink station. Clean and dry area. Monitor for possible leaks.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Food handlers observed without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard lining shelves. Discard and discontinue using cardboard to line shelves. Use materials that are durable cleanable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
74
Aug 27, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 22, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Compliance with food law (p)
Inspector notes: Whole milk from Trader Joe's. Purchase milk from licensed whole sale company not from retail stores.
590.003(A)/3-201.11-P
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink at service line with towels and soap bottle. Keep hand sinks clear and avialable at all times for hand washing only.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: 3 compartment sink with soils and tea stains. Clean 3 compartment sink and discontinue dumping tea in sinks.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: 3 compartment sink not set up for wash/rinse/sanitize while store is open and operating. Retrain staff to have 3 compartment sink set up while operating.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: No frozen dessert manufacture permit for soft serve machine. Apply to isdhealth@boston.gov to add permit.
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and debris under 3 compartment sink behind grease trap and under back prep table. Clean and maintain.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Sun light visible under back door. Install sweep to prevent pests from entering premises.
590.006/6-202.15-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Wash bay of 3 compartment sink leaks. Repair as needed.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths used for wiping counter. Store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-304.14-C
47
Oct 23, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Areas of floor around equipment with encrusted soils- Clean properly
590.004/4-602.13-C
95
May 18, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Soils on upper part of ice machine. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: No quat sanitizing test strips. Provide
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Prohibiting animals (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed dog in store during time of inspection. Employees did not ask if it was a service dog. No live animals on premisis.
590.006/6-501.115-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor on production line sticky to touch. Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
70
Nov 28, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Identifying information prominence-original containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed two bottles of unlabled chemicals below production sinks. Provide labels.
590.007/7-101.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under three bay sink is soiled. Cabinets under sinks on production line soiled. Back hallway leading to trash is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Observed pipes from sinks leaking into bucket below production line. Repair as necessary.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple damp wiping cloths left out on counter. Discontinue.
590.003/3-304.14-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gong Cha last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gong Cha on file is from Apr 6, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gong Cha?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Gong Cha.
How does Gong Cha compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Gong Cha most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Gong Cha's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Gong Cha have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Gong Cha means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Gong Cha inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gong Cha is inspected around two times per year on average.
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