Umai Japanese
Last inspected: Nov 24, 2025
61
Score
Umai Japanese has been inspected nine times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 24, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near eight violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Umai Japanese's latest score of 61 falls below the St. Augustine average of 81. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Closed bottle of bleach stored over container of flour and sugar. Operator removed bleach. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in kitchen near walk in cooler. Operator refilled. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
36-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored in between reach in cooler and prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on front of oven handles. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gaskets soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Wiping cloth sanitizer 0ppm. Operator added more sanitizer 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
61
Jun 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork stored over ice berg lettuce. Operator removed pork. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink with ice inside used as dump sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink. Operator refilled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Top exterior of dishwasher soiled.
16-21-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet cloth stored under cutting board. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled.
22-16-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging from oven handles. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Pans of food stored on walk in freezer floor. Operator removed to shelves. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Behind and underneath equipment soiled.
36-01-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee cigarettes stored on top of prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
47
Apr 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no hose vacuum breaker on hose to mop sink. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a case of chemicals on floor in storeroom by back door. Operator moved chemicals off of floor. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
41-10-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed no written procedure available for foods used on time. Food held on time are rice and tempura shrimp. Operator could not find paper work. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink in sushi bar near the wait station. Operator refilled paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
31B-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly sticky tape hanging over area in dish room where clean dishes come out of dishwasher and tape is full of dead flies. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
35B-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a large whip standing in a bucket of water next to fryer. Water temperature at73F. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
10-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed on cook line, hood filters over flattop has grease buildup. Also, table under flattop with buildup. Observed mold like substance on shelves in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
52
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
39
Jun 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. No proof available for aquaculture salmon. Operator obtained letter from supplier during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
01D-08-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler, raw chicken stored over cut lettuce and sauces. Also, raw beef stored over unwashed produce and sauces. Operator rearranged items to correct storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At cook line, fried rice (118F - Hot Holding). Operator stated employee cooked to much and discarded. At cook line fry station, shrimp tempura, calamari (77, 78F - Hot Holding). Operator stated items are held on time, no time marked and no written procedures available. Items out less than 4 hours. Operator has written procedures form but it is not filled out.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At walk-in cooler entrance, handwash sink has metal scrub pad in sink. At sushi bar, scrub pad in handwash sink. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. On shelves next to ice machine, multiple small,plastic containers of spices not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. At cook line, hood filters over flattop have build up. At cook line, table under flattop soiled. Multiple reach-in cooler gaskets soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At cook line, rice scoop in standing water, 72f.
10-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. At cook line, tongs stored on oven handle. Operator removed. At cook line, knives stored between reach-in cooler and prep,table. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. In back kitchen storage area, plastic lid on sugar s cracked.
14-38-4
Basic - Floors, walls and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. At cook line, wall,behind flattop soiled. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In back kitchen storage area, container of ginger stored on floor. Operator placed empty bucket Nader ginger. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. At takeout area near drink station, cardboard lining shelf for togo lids.
14-45-4
37
Dec 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
19
Feb 24, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Observed tempura held on time at end of cook line without time mark. Observed sushi rice behind front counter without time mark. Operator marked both with correct times during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. In top of flip top reach-in cooler on cook line observed, shell egg ambient (52F - Cold Holding). Operator stated eggs were placed in cooler two hour prior to temp and placed ice on eggs during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk-in freezer observed raw pan of chicken stored over wrapped pieces of fish.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk-in cooler observed raw chicken stored over buckets of ready to eat sauces. In chest reach-in freezer next to ice machine observed wrapped pieces of raw fish stored over ice cream. Operator began rearranging freezer during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Observed no written cleanup plan available. Provided operator with handout during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed no time paperwork available for tempura and sushi rice. Provided operator with paperwork during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing above walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee jacket stored on soda boxes on stand. Operator moved jacket during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on reach-in cooler on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in cooler observed multiple buckets of sauce stored on floor. In walk-in freezer observed multiple bag/pans of food stored on floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup on floor, walls and ceiling of walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. In storage area observed multiple bulk containers of rice and sugar with scoop handles touching food. Operator adjusted the scoops during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach-in coolers on cook line and walk-in cooler soiled with food debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. On counter next to soups observed spoons not stored with handles one way. Operator rearranged spoons during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. In storage room near back door observed box of togo containers stored on floor. Operator moved the box during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In chest reach-in freezer next to ice machine observed lid not covering container of ice cream. Operator placed lid on ice cream during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer bucket at 25ppm. Operator remade bucket and observed at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
26
Nov 14, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Bass on invoice from True World is served as special raw per person in charge. No proof of parasite destruction provided. Also, Salmon provided by KGI purchased fresh and served raw with no proof of parasite destruction. Person in charge called distributors during inspection Obtained letter from KGI during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-14: Person in Charge not available to supply parasite letter. **Time Extended**
01D-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment advertised crab on menu/menu board but served imitation crab. Multiple items on the menu advertising spicy crab, crab. When asked what type of crab is utilized for these menu items, person in charge states they utilize imitation crab. Person in charge began changing menus. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-14: Observed krab not labeled on all menu items that say crab. Employee began changing items on menus during inspection. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
52-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Philadelphia roll contains cold smoked salmon verified by distributor with no disclosure, also under cooked items on the menu. Person in charge states no heat is applied to product. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-14: Observed menus with no raw note next to Philadelphia roll on lunch area of menu. Items observe marked for dinner portion. Employee began marking rolls during inspection. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
02B-01-5
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Umai Japanese last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Umai Japanese on file is from Nov 24, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Umai Japanese?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Umai Japanese.
How does Umai Japanese compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Umai Japanese most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Umai Japanese's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Umai Japanese have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Umai Japanese 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 Umai Japanese inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Umai Japanese is inspected around three times per year on average.
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