SF Banhwich Restaurant Serves Food with Roaches and Rodents

Banhwich, a restaurant located at 1105 Taraval Street in San Francisco's Parkside neighborhood, failed its routine health inspection on October 2, 2025, after inspectors discovered live cockroaches, possible rodents droppings, and dangerously warm food temperatures that could expose customers to serious foodborne illnesses. The most alarming discovery during this inspection involved live and dead cockroaches found on glue boards positioned between the handwashing sink and a white mini-freezer. Inspector William Bajjalieh also observed what appeared to be mice droppings in the same area, creating a serious pest infestation problem that directly threatens food safety.

Dangerous Food Temperature Violations

Beyond the pest issues, inspectors found cooked pork from the previous day being stored at a dangerous internal temperature of 45°F, well above the required 41°F maximum for refrigerated foods. The restaurant's owner was unable to distinguish between products cooked that day versus those from previous days, creating confusion about food freshness and safety protocols. The situation is complicated by Banhwich's cooking arrangement, where raw food preparation occurs at Gold Coast Restaurant on Ocean Avenue before being transported to the Taraval Street location. This unusual setup appears to have contributed to the temperature violations and food tracking problems that put customers at risk of salmonella and other foodborne pathogens.

Health Implications for Customers

The combination of pest activity and improper food storage creates multiple health hazards for diners. Cockroaches are known carriers of 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, while mouse droppings can contain salmonella and hantavirus. The warm food temperatures provide ideal conditions for bacterial growth, potentially exposing customers to serious foodborne illnesses including E. coli and salmonella poisoning. Customers who dined at Banhwich around the inspection date may have been exposed to contaminated surfaces and improperly stored food products. The presence of live cockroaches suggests an ongoing infestation that could have affected food preparation areas and dining surfaces throughout the restaurant.

Infrastructure and Compliance Issues

The inspection also revealed structural problems that facilitate pest entry. Floor tiles had been replaced without notifying the Department of Public Health, and the new flooring lacks the required minimum 3/8-inch radius cove base that prevents pest infiltration and ensures proper sanitation. This unauthorized renovation violates city regulations requiring restaurants to inform health officials of any building modifications. The inadequate flooring creates gaps where pests can hide and makes thorough cleaning impossible, perpetuating the infestation problem.

Required Corrections and Follow-up

Inspector Bajjalieh has mandated that all affected surfaces be cleaned and sanitized, with continued pest control treatments until all vermin activity ceases. The restaurant must provide pest control invoices at the follow-up inspection to demonstrate compliance. Additionally, all cooked foods must be maintained at or below 41°F during the follow-up inspection, and there must be no signs of continued pest activity. The restaurant remains open despite these serious violations, though customers should be aware of the health risks documented during this inspection. This marks the first recorded inspection for Banhwich since opening, making it unclear whether these issues represent ongoing problems or recent developments at this West Portal Muni accessible location.