SF Sushi Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass Despite Violations

Kuma Sushi + Sake, a popular Japanese restaurant in Nob Hill, received a conditional pass during a routine health inspection on November 13, 2025, allowing the establishment to remain open while addressing several minor violations discovered by San Francisco health inspectors. During this inspection at the 1040 Polk Street location near Van Ness Muni, health officials identified four violations requiring correction, including one critical issue involving pest control and temperature violations affecting food safety protocols.

Inspection Details

The most significant violation involved several large dead cockroaches found on adhesive boards in the restaurant's basement. However, inspectors noted no evidence of contamination in the kitchen areas or food storage spaces, and no contaminated food products were discovered in the basement. Health officials recommended that management seal gaps and cracks throughout the facility and work with licensed pest control professionals to ensure the establishment remains free from vermin. Temperature control emerged as another concern during the 30-minute inspection conducted between 12:10 PM and 12:40 PM. A two-door under-counter refrigerator was holding fish at 44 degrees Fahrenheit, while the display refrigerator farthest from the door at the sushi bar was maintaining temperatures of 49 degrees Fahrenheit. Both temperatures exceed the required 41-degree safety threshold for potentially hazardous foods. Inspectors immediately required staff to relocate affected fish products to properly functioning refrigeration units and mandated professional servicing of the malfunctioning equipment before resuming use for food storage.

Additional Violations Found

Health officials also identified issues with the restaurant's dishwashing procedures, discovering inadequate sanitizer levels in the dish machine during initial testing. However, after running the machine through several cycles, it produced acceptable sanitizer levels. Inspectors advised staff to check the ware washing machine before each service period begins. A fourth violation involved food protection protocols when inspectors observed a large container of freshly cooked sushi rice sitting unprotected on the dining room counter at the start of food service. Staff immediately relocated the rice to a proper hot holding unit to prevent potential contamination.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite these violations, the conditional pass designation allows Kuma Sushi + Sake to continue serving customers while implementing required corrections. The restaurant's management demonstrated cooperation by immediately addressing issues that could be resolved on-site, including relocating improperly stored food items and ensuring proper equipment operation. Two of the four violations were corrected during the inspection visit, showing the establishment's commitment to maintaining health standards. The remaining issues require professional equipment servicing and pest control measures that will be verified during follow-up visits.

First Inspection Record

This marks the restaurant's first recorded health inspection in the San Francisco Department of Public Health database, making it impossible to establish patterns or compare performance against previous visits. New restaurants typically undergo more frequent monitoring as they establish operational procedures and demonstrate compliance with food safety regulations. The Japanese restaurant continues to serve customers in the busy Nob Hill corridor while working to address the identified violations and maintain the health department's safety standards. *Staff Reporter at SF Restaurant Inspections*