Zzan Korean Restaurant Fails Reinspection with Mice, Sanitizer

Zzan, a Korean restaurant in Nob Hill, failed its reinspection on August 22, 2025, with inspector John Wells discovering that the establishment had only partially addressed serious health violations from a previous inspection. The restaurant at 643 Post Street near Van Ness Muni continues to operate despite ongoing food safety concerns that put customers at risk. The most alarming violation involved rodent droppings found on the floor by a white upright beverage cooler in the cash register area. Inspector Wells noted that the mouse droppings had been "only half cleaned," indicating the restaurant's inadequate response to a serious pest control issue. This violation poses significant health risks to customers, as mouse droppings can contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus.

Critical Sanitizer Equipment Failure

Perhaps equally concerning was the discovery that the restaurant's dishwashing machine was dispensing 0 ppm chlorine during the sanitize cycle, completely failing to sanitize dishes, utensils, and food contact surfaces. The health code requires a minimum of 50 ppm chlorine to effectively kill bacteria and viruses. This equipment failure means that customers may have been served food on improperly sanitized plates and with unclean utensils, creating a direct pathway for foodborne illness transmission. The inspection also revealed several unshielded fluorescent lights in multiple banks throughout the kitchen. These unprotected light fixtures pose a contamination risk if bulbs break, as glass fragments could fall directly onto food preparation surfaces and into customer meals.

Mixed Results on Previous Violations

This inspection showed that while Zzan had corrected some previous violations related to handsink towels, sausage temperatures, and knife storage, the restaurant failed to adequately address the most serious health hazards. The partial cleanup of rodent droppings and the continued failure of sanitizing equipment suggests a concerning pattern of incomplete corrective actions. Inspector John Wells, who can be reached at john.wells@sfdph.org, received the violations report from Max Aydin during the 30-minute inspection that took place from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The inspection was classified as a reinspection, indicating this was a follow-up to address previous violations.

Neighborhood Impact

For diners in the Nob Hill area seeking Korean cuisine, this failed reinspection raises serious questions about food safety standards at Zzan. The restaurant's location on Post Street makes it easily accessible to both residents and tourists, potentially exposing a large number of people to these health risks. The facility inspection history shows that Zzan did eventually pass a subsequent reinspection on October 2, 2025, suggesting the restaurant has since addressed these violations. However, the August failure highlights the importance of thorough corrective action following initial violations. Food safety experts emphasize that proper sanitization and pest control are fundamental requirements for any food service establishment. The combination of rodent contamination and sanitizer failure represents a serious breakdown in basic food safety protocols that could have resulted in widespread foodborne illness among customers. Customers who dined at Zzan during the period between inspections should monitor themselves for symptoms of foodborne illness and consult healthcare providers if concerns arise.