Novo Lantern

1750 Washington St, Roxbury, MA 02118

Asian / Fusion

Last inspected: May 6, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Novo Lantern appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2024. On May 6, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

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

Looking across the full record, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

By comparison, the average Roxbury facility scores 83, putting Novo Lantern on the weaker side. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 6, 2026

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

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

Inspector notes: Menu is incomplete - address where neeeded for menu items offered under cooked

590.003/3-603.11-PF

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure the name on the allergen certificate matches the current food safety certificate

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Wood use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Remove all wooden utensils with splintered edges and burn marks

590.004/4-101.17-C

Using drain plugs (c)

Inspector notes: Ensure all basins of the three bay sink have an individual plug [ discontinue to use wiping cloths as a plug ]

590.005/5-501.114-C

Dec 31, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

May 15, 2025

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)

Inspector notes: Observed raw meats stored above ready to eat food (tofu) in refrigerated unit in prep area; ready to eat food stored together in top reach in unit at cook line. Discussed with PIC to ensure raw and ready to eat foods are properly stored seperately in refrigerated units. COS

590.003/3-302.11-P

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Observed cooked chicken stored in reach in unit near dumpling station @ 54F. Discussed with PIC to maintain cold holding @ 41F or below. COS

590.003/3-501.16-P

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

Inspector notes: Observed mold-like substance inside ice machine. Clean to remove all substances

590.004/4-601.11-PF

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Observed plastic bowls used for dispensing. Provide handled scoopers for all bulk dispensing

590.003/3-304.12-C

Dec 20, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Preventing contamination from hands (p)

Inspector notes: Observed food handler cutting cooked food item with bare hands. Discussed with PIC to discontinue and ensure all foods are handled with clean gloves. Discarded on site

590.003(C)/3-301.11-P

Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)

Inspector notes: Observed raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat produce in sliding door refrigerated unit. Discussed with PIC to maintain all raw foods stored seperately from ready to eat food items while in refrigerated units. COS

590.003/3-302.11-P

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed no paper towels at hand sink near prep sink. Discussed with PIC to maintain paper towels at handsinks at all times. COS

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed sliced produced / beverages held over 24hrs per PIC without date marking. Provide date marking on all ready to eat foods held over 24hrs

590.003/3-501.17-PF

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

Inspector notes: Observed mold like substance inside ice machine. Clean to remove all soils / mold like substances.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Where to wash (pf)

Inspector notes: Observed employees handwashing in warewashing bay. Discussed with PIC to discontinue practice and ensure all handwashing in hand sinks only. COS

590.002/2-301.15-PF

Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)

Inspector notes: Observed no food thermometers on site for proper testing of cold / hot holding. Provide

590.004/4-204.112-C

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Observed dumpling steam pans stored next to handsink at dumpling station. Provide a protective sink barrier to prevent soiled water splatter from clean equipment

590.003/3-307.11-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Observed food stored on floor in walk in freezer. Maintain all foods properly stored and elevated 6" off the floor. COS

590.003/3-305.11-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Observed utensils stored in stagnant water at wok station. Remove and ensure utensils are stored clean and sanitized then placed on clean surfaces

590.003/3-304.12-C

Jul 17, 2024

Routine

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Novo Lantern last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Novo Lantern on file is from May 6, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Novo Lantern?

Across the inspection record, “packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Novo Lantern.

How does Novo Lantern compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?

Novo Lantern most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is lower than the Roxbury average of 83.

Has Novo Lantern's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Novo Lantern have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Novo Lantern means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Novo Lantern inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Novo Lantern is inspected around three times per year on average.

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