SF Japanese Udon Restaurant Fails Health Reinspection Again

Marugame Udon, a Japanese restaurant in Lake Merced, failed its health reinspection on August 18, 2025, with inspectors citing multiple repeat violations that put diners at serious risk of foodborne illness. The restaurant at 3251 20th Avenue near Stonestown Muni now faces a citation and mandatory abatement conference scheduled for September 3, 2025.

Dangerous Food Cooling Violations

The most serious violation discovered during this inspection involved improper cooling of meat broth that reached dangerous temperatures. Inspectors found broth containing meat in a plastic container with lid measuring 45°F that had been cooling since the previous night - well above the safe temperature zone. According to the rapid cooling log, curry cooling began at 7:37 PM at 127°F and dropped to only 98.6°F an hour later, indicating the food remained in the danger zone where harmful bacteria like Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly. The restaurant voluntarily discarded the contaminated broth after inspectors pointed out the violation. However, confusion among staff about proper cooling procedures raised additional concerns. One employee responsible for curry preparation incorrectly stated they discard curry in four hours and rapidly cool it, while the person in charge explained the employee was nervous and that curry is actually held at 135°F and discarded at closing.

Missing Food Safety Documentation

Inspectors found critical gaps in food safety record-keeping that could mask additional temperature violations. Tempura items including chicken, shrimp, sausage, tempura beef, and vegetable potstickers lacked proper time and temperature documentation required for public health control. Line check logs listed temperatures without units, making it impossible for inspectors to verify food safety compliance. The restaurant also failed to maintain a standalone thermometer inside the shrimp tempura refrigerator, preventing staff from monitoring temperatures that could allow dangerous bacterial growth in seafood products.

Repeat Plumbing and Sanitation Issues

Multiple repeat violations highlighted ongoing maintenance problems that create health hazards. Inspectors discovered a leak in piping at the three-compartment sink, with drainage flowing directly into the mop sink in a manner that could allow dangerous backflow contamination of the water supply. Sanitation standards also fell short, with dry wiping cloths stored directly on food preparation counters throughout the kitchen. Without proper sanitizer, these cloths become breeding grounds for bacteria that can spread pathogens to every surface they touch.

Facility Deterioration Concerns

The inspection revealed deteriorating conditions that compromise food safety. Floors showed signs of deterioration with splashes and spills observed on walls underneath equipment. Black residue was found underneath the three-compartment sink, indicating poor cleaning practices in critical food preparation areas.

Restaurant History and Next Steps

This marks the first documented inspection for the udon restaurant in the city's inspection database, making the extensive list of violations particularly concerning for a new establishment. The failed reinspection demonstrates that initial warnings went unheeded, leading to the escalated enforcement action. The mandatory abatement conference on September 3 will determine what corrective actions the restaurant must take to resume safe operations. Until these violations are addressed, diners in the Lake Merced area should be aware of the ongoing food safety concerns at this Japanese restaurant near the Stonestown shopping area. Inspector Cristina Fung-Autry conducted the reinspection and documented seven total violations, including one critical, three major, and three minor infractions.