Hot Pot Buffet

70 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

Asian / Fusion

Last inspected: Dec 29, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Hot Pot Buffet has been inspected eight times since 2022. The most recent visit was on Dec 29, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around one violation to closer to four violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.

The city-wide average sits at 86, which Hot Pot Buffet's 70 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 29, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Rice in cooker from previous day at 120F. Discarded by PIC. Cook rice daily and discard or cool and store in refrigerator. Do not reheat rice that has been at room temperature over night.

590.003/3-501.16-P1

Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)

Inspector notes: Dish machine not testing for chlorine sanitizer. Sanitize all dishes and equipment in 3 compartment sink with chlorine. Service call has been placed.

590.004/4-501.114-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Soils and debris under dish machine and on pipes under dish machine. Clean and sanitize to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jun 13, 2025

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food storage prohibited areas (c)

Inspector notes: Boxes of food products observed being stored on the ground of the basement walk-in coolers. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimu of 6 inche off the ground.

590.003/3-305.12-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Wall to the entrance of the main kitchen area visibly soiled. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Drying mops (c)

Inspector notes: Mop sink located in the basement storage are not fully enclosed. Address and fully enclose mop sink.

590.006/6-501.16-C

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Floor under storage rack on the second floor visibly soiled and with food debris. Clean to remove.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Jun 13, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Heavy amount of immature flies in upstairs service area. Provide updated pest reports.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Soils inside the interior of the ice machine. Clean to remove. Meat slicer upstairs observed with food debris. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)

Inspector notes: Open package of cigarettes observed stored in close proximity to food on production line. Person in charge corrected.

590.002/2-401.11-C

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Bottle of water stored in ice machine. Person in charge removed. Effected ice removed.

590.003/3-307.11-C

Dec 12, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Mar 10, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Feb 1, 2023

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Dead rat behind hot water tank in basement. Rat droppings around hot water tanks. Rat droppings at upstairs server station. Rat droppings under dish machine. Clean all areas and monitor for activity.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Broth burner in kitchen with carbon build-up. Grease trp under dish machine heavily soiled. Debris and grease under cookline and cookline prep table. Debris and soils under ice machine. Moisture and soils under second floor hand wash sink. Clean all areas to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Nov 18, 2022

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)

Inspector notes: Menu does not provide warning of undercooked foods. No printed instructions for hot pot cooking for food safety for customers. Provide reminder and disclosure for undercooked foods and printed cooking instructions for customers.

590.003/3-603.11-PF

Sep 28, 2022

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Shell stock maintaining identification (pf)

Inspector notes: Shellstock tags not stored with clams. Keep tag with clams until alll are sold then date tag and hold for 90 days.

590.003/3-203.12-PF

Outer openings protected (c)

Inspector notes: Bottom of screen at back door is not attached to frame. Attach/repair as needed to prevent pests from entering building.

590.006/6-202.15-C

Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Soiled cardboard lining shelf in kitchen and at upstairs server station. Discard cardboard and discontinue using as shelf liner. Plastic trash bag lining wall at dishmachine. Discard plastic. Use materials that are durable cleanable and non-absorbent.

590.004/4-101.19-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Rat droppings in basement. Clean and montior for activity. Soils and moisture around basement pump. Clean area to prevent contamination and attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hot Pot Buffet last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Hot Pot Buffet on file is from Dec 29, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Hot Pot Buffet?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Hot Pot Buffet.

How does Hot Pot Buffet compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Hot Pot Buffet most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has Hot Pot Buffet's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Hot Pot Buffet have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Hot Pot Buffet 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 Hot Pot Buffet inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Hot Pot Buffet is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

New Golden Gate Restaurant

Score: 43 — High Risk

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→ All locations in Boston → Asian / Fusion restaurants in Boston