San Ho Won Mission Restaurant Closed for Critical Violations

San Ho Won, a restaurant located at 2170 Bryant Street in San Francisco's Mission district, has been ordered to close by health department officials following a failed follow-up inspection that revealed multiple critical health violations posing serious risks to public safety. During this inspection conducted on October 28, 2025, health inspectors discovered nine total violations, including four critical infractions that immediately threatened customer health and safety. The inspection, which lasted from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, resulted in mandatory closure with no reopening date scheduled.

Critical Shellfish Violations Discovered

The most alarming discovery involved improperly handled shellfish that could expose customers to serious foodborne illness. Inspectors found containers of clams completely lacking required shellfish identification tags, which are mandated by law to track the source and harvest date of raw shellfish. When questioned by inspectors, restaurant operators admitted they routinely removed these critical safety tags upon delivery, eliminating any ability to trace potentially contaminated shellfish back to their source. Adding to the shellfish safety concerns, inspectors discovered that existing shellfish tags were not maintained in proper chronological order, making it impossible to ensure proper rotation and freshness of these high-risk food items that can harbor deadly bacteria and viruses.

Dangerous Chemical Storage and Plumbing Issues

Inspectors identified serious chemical storage violations that could result in accidental food contamination. Chemical substances were being stored above food preparation areas, creating the potential for toxic chemicals to drip or spill directly onto food intended for customer consumption. Critical plumbing deficiencies were also documented, including inadequate air gaps between floor sinks and drain pipes. This plumbing violation creates a direct pathway for sewage backup to contaminate the kitchen environment, potentially exposing food, utensils, and preparation surfaces to dangerous bacteria and pathogens.

Food Safety Equipment Failures

The inspection revealed multiple equipment and storage violations that compromise basic food safety protocols. Inspectors found food scoops stored with handles touching food products, creating cross-contamination risks. Additionally, the restaurant failed to maintain proper sanitizer solutions at workstations, with inspectors noting the absence of required 200 ppm quaternary ammonium sanitizer needed to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Handwashing capabilities were severely compromised, with maximum hot water temperatures measuring only 95 degrees Fahrenheit at hand sink faucets, well below the temperature required for effective hand sanitization and dishwashing.

Temperature Control Problems

Inspectors documented dangerous temperature violations involving rice that was measured at 81 degrees Fahrenheit while cooling. This temperature falls within the danger zone where harmful bacteria multiply rapidly, potentially causing severe foodborne illness in customers who consume the improperly cooled rice.

Location and Impact

The closed restaurant is located near the 24th St Mission BART station, making it a popular dining destination for both local residents and transit commuters. The facility has no prior inspection history on record, making this closure particularly concerning as it represents the establishment's first documented interaction with health department officials. The health department has not announced when San Ho Won will be permitted to reopen, indicating that significant remediation will be required to address the multiple critical violations identified during the inspection.