Zaku
Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025
67
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Zaku stretching back to 2022. On Sep 17, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.
“Controlling pests” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical Roxbury restaurant, which scores around 83. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 17, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There was evidence of rodent activity observed(droppings & gnawing).Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the hole under the 3 bay sink & also repair the hole at the exterior window-lower exterior seating
590.006/6-501.11-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Remove/replace the soiled glue board with dead insects.
590.006/6-501.112-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 bay sink observed leaking from under the middle bay.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the exterior of the dish machine to remove soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior walkin floor to remove soils. Clean the floor in the paper storage room to remove evidence of mouse droppings.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Provide a working internal thermometer in the walk in unit
590.004/4-204.112-C
67
Mar 25, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: The hood sticker was observed expired on 1.13.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker Hood service scheduled for 3.23.25 per PIC
590.006/6-501.14-C
95
Mar 5, 2025
Routine
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: The low temp dish machine is not reading chlorine sanitizer.Repair Maintain sanitizer 50PPM or per manufactures instructions PIC to use 3 bay sink
590.004/4-501.114-PF
Conformance with approved procedures (pf)
Inspector notes: Lab report & letter of guarantee have expired.Provide updated documents
590.008/8-103.12-PF
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior panel of the ice machine to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There was evidence of rodent activity observed in the basement prep room(droppings).Provide a detailed IPM report upon re-inspection
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: Remove/replace soiled glue traps as noted with the PIC
590.006/6-501.112-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior floors of the walkin refrigerator & freezer to remove debris. Clean the floor to remove evidence of rodent droppings--Basement prep
590.006/6-501.13-C
Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)
Inspector notes: The hood sticker was observed expired on 1.13.25.Provide a proper hood cleaning from a licensed company.Post new sticker
590.006/6-501.14-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the interior walls compressor unit fans & attached electrical hoses to remove soils
590.004/4-602.13-C
Intensity-lighting (c)
Inspector notes: The overhead light in the prep room is not operating.Repair/replace bulb
590.006/6-303.11-C
52
Sep 5, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: White rice reading 102F for 30-45 min per PIC.Maintan item 135F or above while hot holding. (PIC stating unit was unplugged PIC re-heating)
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: Provide an air gap at the single bay prep sink.
590.005/5-202.13-P
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There is evidence of rodent activity observed.(droppings/burrows) Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection. Seal holes and provide repairs as needed damaged wood fence. Clean to remove droppings
590.006/6-501.111-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 bay sink observed leaking from the drain pipe.Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Items in the walk in freezer observed stored on the floor.Elevate all items 6 inches off the floor during storage.
590.003/3-305.11-C
61
Feb 21, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temp dish machine not reading chlorine.Repair Maintain chlorine 50PPM or per manufactures instructions 3 bay sink is available for use
590.004/4-501.114-PF
(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)
Inspector notes: The business has made a DBA change to "ZAKU". Discussed with the PIC to change the exterior business signage from "Shuns kitchen" to "ZAKU"
590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: There is evidence of rodent activity(droppings).Provide a full pest report upon re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Items in the walkin freezer observed missing wrapping or covers.Provide food protection during storage. Corrected during the inspection
590.003/3-305.11-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the floor near the storage bins to remove spilled rice. Clean the floor behind the ice machine and at the entrance to remove rodent droppings.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Repair the hole & door sweep at the entrance door to the lower prep room to prevent possible pest access.
590.006/6-501.11-C
64
Oct 3, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Safe unadulterated and honestly presented (p)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings observed inside salt bulk container in basement prep area. Person in charge discarded all contents. Clean and sanitize bin and surrounding area.
590.003/3-101.11-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: No hand washing obsevred by employees during inspection. Spoke to PIC about handwashing.
590.002/2-301.14-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Handles of prep area refrigeration are soiled. Sides and tops of all bulk sugar and salt bins obsevred with soils. Clean to remove soils.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of food observed without date marking. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine observed with cleaning agent empty. Person in charge corrected.
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Pots obsevred in prep area hand sink and production line hand sink. Person in charge removed.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Rodent droppings observed in basement prep area. Clean and sanitize area. Provide updated pest reports.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Front counter hand sink obsevred without paper towels. Person in charge corrected.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple containers of food obsevred without lids in upstairs front counter area. Cover to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Plastic containers being used to dispense bulk product. Remove.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Grease build up observed in filters above grill. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
35
Apr 9, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the minor amount of excess water from the floor in front of the bar.
590.006/6-501.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Water observed leaking from the ceiling above the lower bar.Repair the ceiling as needed Owner has scheduled repair.
590.006/6-501.11-C
90
Mar 31, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw beef stored directly next to cooked chicken on production line. Person in charge corrected. Discontinue.
590.003/3-302.11-P
When to wash (p)
Inspector notes: Observed employee working on production line leave station come back to production line with out washing hands. Ensure employees are washing their hands after changing tasks.
590.002/2-301.14-P
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: No date marking on multiple foods in multiple diffrent units. Behind counter refrigeration unit has multiple pans of product that are not date marked. Provide proper date marking.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Cooling heating and holding capacities-equipment (pf)
Inspector notes: Refrigeration unit in basement is running at 60F. Only full uncut produce in refrigerator at time of inspection. Person in charge removed items. Place service call. Multiple other units available until unit is repaired.
590.004/4-301.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Pot in production line hand sink. Pot in hand sink in prep area. Hand sink should only be used for hand washing.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Maintaining refuse areas and enclosures (c)
Inspector notes: Remove excess cigarette butts and trash from back patio.
590.005/5-501.115-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Rice scoops stored in stagnet water. Remove
590.003/3-304.12-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy grease build up observed on filters above wok area. Clean to remove all grease build up.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Refrigerator behind front counter is soiled. Sides of fryolater are soiled. Under production line equiptment is soiled. Remove all tin foil from prodution line. Clean and sanitize area.
590.004/4-602.13-C
45
Aug 17, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Observed shrimp out in ambient air at 78F. Hold below 41F prior to cooking.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed unlabled chemical bottle in warewas area. Label.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Heavy fruit fly presence in downstairs prep area. Provide updated pest reports.
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed pot in production line hand sink. Use hand sink only for handwashing.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple foods without date marking. Provide.
590.003/3-501.17-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Under cookline equiptment is soiled. Clean to remove all soils.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Production line cutting boards are heavily scored. Resurface or replace.
590.004/4-501.12-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Observed container of open flour on floor. Elevate to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Observed utensils held in stagnet water. Discontinue.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Multiple damp rags observed on production line counter. Place in sanitizing solution while not in use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters are heavily soiled with grease. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-202.18-C
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zaku last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zaku on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zaku?
Across the inspection record, “controlling pests” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Zaku.
How does Zaku compare to other restaurants in Roxbury?
Zaku most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Roxbury average of 83.
Has Zaku's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zaku have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Zaku 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 Zaku inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zaku is inspected around three times per year on average.
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