Japanese House Fails Reopening with Cockroaches and Rodents

Health inspectors discovered live cockroaches and rodent droppings at Japanese House during a critical follow-up inspection on August 28, 2025. The Japanese restaurant at 510 Mission Street in SOMA failed its reopening attempt after inspectors found serious pest control and sanitation violations that put customer safety at risk. During this inspection, health officials witnessed a live cockroach scurrying near the plate storage area at the front sales counter. The restaurant's person in charge immediately killed the insect and sanitized the contaminated area with bleach, but the damage to food safety protocols had already been done. Cockroaches carry 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, making their presence in food preparation areas a serious health threat.

Multiple Critical Violations Discovered

The inspection revealed three critical violations that directly threatened customer safety. Inspectors found no sanitizer buckets anywhere in the facility, leaving staff without proper tools to maintain clean food contact surfaces. California health code requires sanitizer buckets containing 100ppm chlorine solution, with wiping cloths stored in the sanitizer when not in use. This fundamental sanitation failure meant contaminated surfaces could spread dangerous bacteria to customer food. Adding to the pest control crisis, inspectors discovered rat droppings underneath the dishwashing machine. Mice and rats produce up to 50 droppings daily, each potentially containing Salmonella and hantavirus. The facility had been serviced by Pest R Us on August 27, just one day before the inspection, with another treatment scheduled for September 3. A plumbing leak at the kitchen handwash sink created additional sanitation concerns, as proper handwashing facilities are essential for preventing foodborne illness transmission among staff.

Food Safety Violations Put Customers at Risk

Beyond the pest problems, inspectors found dangerous food handling practices that could have sickened customers. Staff were thawing raw fish at room temperature instead of using approved methods, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth. The temperature danger zone between 41-135°F allows harmful bacteria to double every 20 minutes. Health officials also discovered a can of ant and roach spray in the kitchen, indicating ongoing pest issues. Personal cell phones were being stored on food contact surfaces, introducing additional contamination risks to areas where customer meals are prepared.

Restaurant's Inspection History

This reopening failure follows a pattern of health violations at the SOMA establishment near Montgomery St BART. The restaurant received a conditional pass on a September 2 reinspection, suggesting ongoing struggles with maintaining basic health standards. Japanese House received a conditional reopening status, meaning they can operate with restrictions while addressing the violations. The facility must correct all critical violations and pass a subsequent inspection to achieve full compliance. For diners in the busy SOMA district, this inspection serves as a reminder to check restaurant health scores before dining. The violations discovered put customers at risk of foodborne illnesses including Salmonella, E. coli, and other dangerous pathogens commonly associated with pest control failures and poor sanitation practices. The restaurant must work with pest control professionals and health inspectors to address these serious violations before fully reopening to the public. Until then, customers should exercise caution when considering dining at establishments with recent health code failures.