Aroma Hot Pot
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
78
Score
Aroma Hot Pot appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 18, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly 10 violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up four times.
Aroma Hot Pot's latest score of 78 falls below the Chicago average of 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE FRYERS AND EXTERIOR SURFACES TO REMOVE GREASE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS AND INSIDE OF LIGHT SHIELDS WHERE NEEDED IN KITCHEN AND WASHROOMS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND SOME WATER STAINED CEILING TILE IN THE WASHROOMS; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE WHERE NEEDED.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE HOODED SYSTEM IN NEED OF CLEANING; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
78
Feb 4, 2026
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES. FOUND COOKED RICE, CRAB RANGOON, SPRING ROLLS, SESAME BALLS, CHICKEN NUGGETS AND ONION RINGS AT HOT HOLDING UNIT AT TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 100F AND 112F. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL HOT HOLDING FOOD ITEMS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 135F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. 10 LBS OF FOOD ITEMS VALUED AT $100. PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED FOR FOOD REQUIREMENTS 7-38-005.
21
Food separated and protected
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE FOOD PROTECTION. NO PROTECTIVE BARRIER OBSERVED AT THE SIDE OF THE SELF SERVICE COLD FOOD BAR; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 ISSUED FOR FOOD REQUIREMENTS.
15
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER AT LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION FOR EQUIPMENT STANDARDS. MACHINE NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND CANNOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH WITH PROPER CHEMICAL.
16
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED FOR FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
2
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND SOME WATER STAINED CEILING TILE IN THE WASHROOMS; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE WHERE NEEDED.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS AND INSIDE OF LIGHT SHIELDS WHERE NEEDED IN KITCHEN AND WASHROOMS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE HOODED SYSTEM IN NEED OF CLEANING; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE.
1
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE FRYERS AND EXTERIOR SURFACES TO REMOVE GREASE.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FAUCET KNOB AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA IN MISSING FOR THE HOT WATER; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE KNOB.
51
41
Mar 17, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND SPRING ROLLS (129.0F), SEASME BALLS 99.8F, AND FRIED FISH TOFU (100.1F) ON THE FRONT SELF-SERVICE BUFFET. APPROXIMATELY 6LBS AT $33 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD HOT TCS FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
21
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND A CONTAINER OF RAW FISH (52.0F) IN THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, SLICED HONEYDEW MELON (52.1F) IN THE SELF-SERVICE BUFFET IN A COLD HOLDING UNIT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 13LBS AT $50 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #21
22
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE (NOT IN USE) NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY SANITIZING. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE DISHWASHING MACHINE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025, NO CITATION ISSUED
16
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUCKET WITH TOWELS AND A SPRAY BOTTLE WITH UNKNOWN CHEMICAL AND NOT LABELED. THE BUCKET OF CHEMICALS WAS STORED ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE SPRAY BOTTLE WAS STORED ON THE A LOWER SHELF BEHIND A FOOD PREP TABLE. MUST PROVIDE PROPER MARKING ON ALL CHEMICAL CONTAINERS. BUCKET AND SPRAYER BOTTLE WAS LABELED PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-015, CITATION ISSUED
28
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING THE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUCKET OF RAW FISH AND WATER BEING THAWED IN THE ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REEAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTURCTED TO USE PROPER THAWING METHODS AND MAINTAIN.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO BULK DRY INGREDIENTS AND A SQUIRTT BOTTLE NOT LABELED WITH THE FOOD ITEMS COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW MEATS PLATED FOR SERVICE STORED NEAR THE HANDWASHING SINK/ PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEM TO AVOID CONTAMINATING FOOD ITEMS AFTER HANDWASHING.
39
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLER MUST TAKE CORUSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
43
Jul 26, 2024
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLEAN DISHWARE NOT INVERTED ON THE DISH RACK AND SHELF IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL MENTIONED DISHWARE AND MAINTAIN.
44
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A MISSING RECEPTACLE WITH A LID, IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS AND MAINTAIN.
53
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Aroma Hot Pot last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Aroma Hot Pot on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Aroma Hot Pot?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Aroma Hot Pot.
Has Aroma Hot Pot's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Aroma Hot Pot have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Aroma Hot Pot 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 Aroma Hot Pot inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Aroma Hot Pot is inspected around three times per year on average.
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