SF Vietnamese Restaurant Fails with Bean Sprouts at Room Temp

A Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco's Richmond District failed its health inspection after inspectors discovered raw bean sprouts sitting at dangerous room temperature, creating serious risks for foodborne illness among customers. Mr. Banh Mi, located at 3605 Balboa Street, failed this inspection on October 7, 2025, when Inspector Jessica Jang found multiple violations during her routine visit between 11:50 AM and 12:25 PM. The most serious violation involved raw bean sprouts being stored at room temperature instead of the required 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Critical Temperature Violations Found

The temperature violations at the Richmond establishment posed immediate health risks to customers. Raw bean sprouts are particularly dangerous when left at room temperature because they provide an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These pathogens can multiply rapidly in the "danger zone" between 41 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially causing severe foodborne illness. Inspector Jang noted that the operator corrected the violation on site by relocating the bean sprouts to proper refrigeration. However, customers who may have consumed dishes containing these improperly stored sprouts faced exposure to dangerous bacteria levels that could lead to serious gastrointestinal illness. The restaurant received a major violation under California Retail Food Code Section 113996, which requires all perishable foods to be maintained at safe temperatures. Temperature abuse is responsible for 63% of foodborne outbreaks according to health officials, making this a particularly serious violation for any food service establishment.

Additional Kitchen Safety Violations

Beyond the temperature issues, inspectors documented multiple cleaning issues throughout the kitchen that raised additional health concerns. The inspection revealed significant grease buildup underneath the fryer, which the operator claimed would be addressed later that day due to a large order volume. More troubling were the structural problems discovered at the three-compartment sink area. Inspectors found peeling caulking and wall bulging that suggested potential water damage behind the wall. Food debris was also discovered in the wall area behind the sink, creating conditions that could attract pests and harbor harmful bacteria. The restaurant was given until October 21, 2025, to correct these violations and bring the facility back into compliance with health standards.

Restaurant Background and Inspection History

This marked the first recorded inspection for Mr. Banh Mi in the city's database, making it impossible to establish patterns of compliance or previous violations. The restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine, serving the diverse Richmond neighborhood near the intersection of Balboa Street and 37th Avenue. Despite the failures, inspectors noted several positive findings during their visit. All refrigerators were maintaining proper temperatures at 41 degrees or below, hot water of at least 120 degrees was available at all sinks, no signs of rodent activity were observed, and sanitizing procedures were being followed properly. The restaurant was not ordered to close despite the violations, allowing it to continue serving customers while addressing the required corrections. However, the facility must demonstrate compliance with all health codes before its next inspection to maintain its operating permit. Customers concerned about potential exposure to foodborne illness should monitor for symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, particularly if they consumed bean sprout dishes during the period leading up to the inspection.