Hong Kong Lounge Fails with Rodent Droppings, Cockroaches

Health inspectors discovered a disturbing array of violations at Hong Kong Lounge on Geary Boulevard, including rodent droppings contaminating vegetables and dead cockroaches floating in sanitizer buckets used to clean dishes and utensils. The Chinese restaurant at 5322 Geary Boulevard in Outer Richmond failed this inspection on October 21, 2025, when inspectors arrived for a routine evaluation and instead found extensive evidence of pest infestation and dangerous food handling practices.

Rodent Contamination Discovered

Inspectors found rodent droppings scattered throughout the facility, including inside a box of Napa cabbage that was being prepared for customer meals. Additional mice droppings were discovered on storage shelves where food ingredients were kept. The contaminated vegetables were immediately discarded, but the widespread nature of the droppings indicated an ongoing infestation problem. The last professional pest control service at the restaurant occurred in August 2025, nearly three months before this inspection. Mice can produce up to 50 droppings daily, and each dropping can contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus that pose serious health risks to restaurant customers.

Dead Cockroaches in Cleaning Equipment

Perhaps most shocking, health inspectors found dead cockroaches floating in the sanitizer bucket used to clean dishes, utensils, and food contact surfaces. Additional dead cockroaches were discovered at the dish drainboard and near the grease container, indicating a significant cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen. Cockroaches are known carriers of 33 different types of bacteria and six parasitic worms, making their presence in food preparation areas extremely dangerous. The fact that dead cockroaches were found in sanitizing solution means that dishes and utensils supposedly being cleaned were instead being contaminated with disease-carrying pests.

Dangerous Food Cooling Practices

Inspectors also discovered that kitchen staff had been improperly cooling soups by leaving them out on countertops overnight, a practice that creates ideal conditions for bacterial growth. The soups were discarded and staff received education on proper cooling methods, but this violation represents one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in restaurants.

Additional Health Violations

The inspection revealed numerous other concerning issues including raw meats stored above ready-to-eat foods like noodles and vegetables, creating cross-contamination risks. Heavy grease buildup covered ventilation hoods in both the main cooking area and dim sum section, while inadequate sanitizer concentration in cleaning buckets meant surfaces weren't being properly disinfected. Structural problems included openings in the back screen door that provided entry points for pests, gaps in wall coverings with exposed wood, and mold growth in the aquarium area.

Restaurant Response and Follow-up

Several violations were corrected during the inspection, including adjusting sanitizer concentrations and relocating raw meats to proper storage areas. However, the restaurant received a follow-up deadline of November 13, 2025, to address the pest infestation and structural issues. This represents the first recorded inspection failure for Hong Kong Lounge in available records. The restaurant serves diners near the 38 Geary bus line in the Outer Richmond district, an area known for its diverse Asian cuisine options. Inspector Jessica Jang conducted the inspection from 10:10 AM to 11:50 AM, documenting nine total violations including three critical and six major infractions. The restaurant's next inspection will determine whether adequate steps have been taken to protect customer health and safety.