Santouka
Last inspected: Jul 31, 2025
61
Score
Across the available record, Santouka has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jul 31, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood contact surfaces”, showing up six times.
Compared to other Boston restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 31, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Broth in covered pots in refrigerator at 100F. Cool broth uncovered.
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)
Inspector notes: Salmon and tuna bowls do not indicate raw or under cooked foods. Provide consumer advisory for all raw items on the menu.
590.003/3-603.11-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with pink mold-like substance. Clean and sanitize
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Backdoor open to alleyway. Keep door closed or provide screen to prevent pests from entering.
590.006/6-202.15-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled box used for storage in walk-in refrigerator. Discard box. Use materials that are cleanable and non-absorbent
590.004/4-101.19-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and debris under warewashing sink and in floor drain. Clean to avoid attracting pests
590.004/4-602.13-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Reduced oxygen packaged raw tuna and salmon thawed in package. Pierce or remove packaging prior to thawing.
590.003/3-501.13-C
61
Feb 26, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 27, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Sun light visible under backdoor. Install door sweep to prevent pests from entering.
590.006/6-202.15-C
95
Mar 5, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine out of sanitizer. Monitor chemicals and test regularly to ensure sanitation. Corrected on site.
590.004/4-501.114-P
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Kitchen hand sink out of towels. Staff using napkins. Provide paper towels for hand drying. Corrected on site
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Debris and soils under dish machine area and under basement cooking equipment. Clean to avoid attracting pests
590.004/4-602.13-C
74
Jul 12, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Freezer in basement not working. Service call has been placed by PIC. No items in freezer during time of inspection. Repair as necessary.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed sauce cooling in large covered container. Person in charge corrected.
590.003/3-501.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Gasket in upstairs refrigerator observed with soils. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
82
Nov 16, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in prep area does not have paper towels available. Person in charge corrected.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Hand sink in warewash area has soiled dishes inside. Person in charge corrected.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling tile missing in basement. Replace
590.006/6-201.16-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Squeeze bottles on cookline unlabled. Provide
590.003/3-302.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood sticker is expired. Schedule cleaning appointment
590.004/4-202.18-C
(b) cooling methods (c)
Inspector notes: Observed chicken cooling in covered pan in walk in cooler. Per PIC chicken has been cooked one hour prior. Person in charge removed container and spread product into two uncovered containers.
590.003/3-501.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Gasket on production line refrigerator is soiled and torn. Replace
590.004/4-602.13-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard being used in walk in cooler shelfing. Remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
61
May 31, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: High temperature dishwasher is not properly working and has been taken out of service. service call has already been made. Make proper repairs 3 bay sink available for warewashing of equipment Establishment is using disposible tableware until repairs are made
590.004/4-501.11-C
95
May 18, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple cut vegetables held on counter in ambient temperatures at 50F-62F Removed and placed under refrigeration Violation noted on previous inspection report Products must be held under refrigeration
590.003/3-501.16-P
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide irreversible thermometer for high temperature dishwasher located in upper kitchen
590.004/4-302.13-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report including repeat violations- Review procedures with staff
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors in lower level with soils under equipment and along walls- Clean thouroughly
590.004/4-602.13-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges in use at the 3 bay sink and at warewashing area in upper level- Discontinue
590.004/4-101.16-C
Food preparation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food preparation on the drain board of the 3 bay sink- discontinue Prep area and sink available
590.003/3-305.14-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: High temperature dishwasher is not properly working and has been taken out of service. service call has already been made. Make proper repairs 3 bay sink available for warewashing of equipment Establishment is using disposible tableware until repairs are made
590.004/4-501.11-C
58
May 9, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Multiple cut vegetables held on counter in ambient temperatures at 50F-62F Removed and placed under refrigeration Violation noted on previous inspection report Products must be held under refrigeration
590.003/3-501.16-P
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide irreversible thermometer for high temperature dishwasher located in upper kitchen
590.004/4-302.13-PF
(a) (b) and (c)(1) (4)-(16) demonstration (pf)
Inspector notes: Priority violations noted on inspection report including repeat violations- Review procedures with staff
590.002(B)/2-102.11-PF
Food preparation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed food preparation on the drain board of the 3 bay sink- discontinue Prep area and sink available
590.003/3-305.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floors in lower level with soils under equipment and along walls- Clean thouroughly
590.004/4-602.13-C
Sponges use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Sponges in use at the 3 bay sink and at warewashing area in upper level- Discontinue
590.004/4-101.16-C
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Santouka last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Santouka on file is from Jul 31, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Santouka?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Santouka.
How does Santouka compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Santouka most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Santouka's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Santouka have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Santouka 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 Santouka inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Santouka is inspected around three times per year on average.
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