Tanaka Ramen
Last inspected: Jun 12, 2025
67
Score
Public records show five inspections at Tanaka Ramen stretching back to 2023. Tanaka Ramen was last inspected on Jun 12, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly 11 violations before.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded 10 times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 12, 2025
Routine
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(TOFU, EGGS). MUST HAVE A CFM ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. CFM ARRIVED ON SITE AT 2:10 PM.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
67
Sep 6, 2024
Reinspection
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: : OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDERNETAH FOOD PREPARATION TABLES, AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: : OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHING FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS IN REAR OF PREMISES NEAR TO EXIT DOOR. MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN PREMISES IN A GOOD REPAIR.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND ALSO OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF FRONT PREP TABLES. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
61
Aug 28, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2575709 ON 5/11/23. #58 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE. #55. ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND ALSO OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF FRONT PREP TABLES. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHING FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS IN REAR OF PREMISES NEAR TO EXIT DOOR. MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN PREMISES IN A GOOD REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDERNETAH FOOD PREPARATION TABLES, AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
52
May 11, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 NOTED DISHWARE AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC. MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE SNEEZE GUARDS TO PROTECT.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(B)-MUST REMOVE PLASTIC TAPE ON THE FRONT PREP COOLER DOOR AND PEELING TAPE NOTED ON THE SPLASH GUARDS OF THE REAR PREP ONE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE ALL.----EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT PREP SHELVING.MUST REMOVE RUST. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. -----EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVES IN THE REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK AT THE BAR. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE THE KITCHEN ICE MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.-- 6-501.114--- ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. : 6-501.113-- NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
78
Mar 14, 2023
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NOTED DISHWARE AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC. MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE SNEEZE GUARDS TO PROTECT.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE STOPPERS FOR THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. BROKEN ATTACHED STOPPERS AT THE KITCHEN/DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: -MUST REMOVE PLASTIC TAPE ON THE FRONT PREP COOLER DOOR AND PEELING TAPE NOTED ON THE SPLASH GUARDS OF THE REAR PREP ONE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE ALL.----EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT PREP SHELVING.MUST REMOVE RUST. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. -----EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVES IN THE REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK AT THE BAR. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11--MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE THE KITCHEN ICE MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.-- 6-501.114--- ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. : 6-501.113-- NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tanaka Ramen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tanaka Ramen on file is from Jun 12, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tanaka Ramen?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Tanaka Ramen.
Has Tanaka Ramen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Tanaka Ramen have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tanaka Ramen 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 Tanaka Ramen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tanaka Ramen is inspected around two times per year on average.
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