Kim Son Restaurant Closed for Missing Consumer Warnings

Kim Son Restaurant on Balboa Street in San Francisco's Outer Richmond district was forced to close its doors after a follow-up health inspection revealed critical violations that put customer safety at risk. The restaurant failed to provide mandatory consumer advisory warnings for raw or undercooked foods and operated without a certified food manager on-site. The San Francisco Department of Public Health conducted this inspection on August 15, 2025, at the restaurant located at 3614 Balboa Street, near the 38 Geary bus line. Inspector Jessica Jang discovered that the establishment was serving potentially hazardous raw or undercooked foods without the legally required disclosure warnings on their menu.

Critical Health Violations Found

The most serious violation involved the complete absence of consumer advisory warnings on the restaurant's menu. These warnings are mandatory under California law when establishments serve raw or undercooked foods like sushi, rare meats, or raw eggs. Without these disclosures, customers with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, young children, and elderly patrons cannot make informed decisions about potentially dangerous food choices. Health officials also discovered that Kim Son Restaurant was operating without a certified food manager present during the inspection. While valid food handler cards were available on-site, the absence of a certified manager represents a significant gap in food safety oversight. Certified food managers are trained to understand critical temperature controls, prevent cross-contamination, and implement proper hygiene protocols that reduce the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks by 60%. The inspector found an additional violation regarding dishwasher equipment, noting the absence of a required barrier between the drainboards of the dishwasher and the food preparation sink. This setup created a potential pathway for contamination as cleaned utensils on the drainboard could be exposed to food preparation activities without adequate separation.

Inspection Details and Positive Findings

Despite the critical violations that led to closure, Inspector Jang noted several positive aspects of the restaurant's operations. All refrigeration units maintained proper temperatures at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, ensuring that perishable foods remained in safe storage conditions. The facility had adequate hot water at all sinks, with temperatures reaching the required minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit necessary for effective sanitization. The inspection also revealed no signs of vermin activity throughout the establishment, indicating effective pest control measures. Additionally, the dishwasher was functioning properly with adequate sanitizer buckets available for cleaning equipment and surfaces.

Restaurant History and Reopening Requirements

This appears to be the first recorded inspection for Kim Son Restaurant in the city's database, making this closure particularly concerning as it suggests fundamental compliance issues from the establishment's opening. The restaurant must address all cited violations before it can reopen to serve customers in the busy Outer Richmond dining corridor. To reopen, Kim Son Restaurant must provide proper consumer advisory warnings on all menus, obtain and display valid food manager certification, and install appropriate barriers between dishwashing and food preparation areas. The required food manager certification must be emailed to jessica.jang@sfdph.org as specified in the inspection report. The closure affects residents and workers in the Outer Richmond area who frequent restaurants along Balboa Street. The neighborhood's diverse dining scene relies on consistent food safety standards to maintain public trust and protect community health. Restaurant management can be reached at (415) 252-3825 for questions about the closure and reopening timeline.