Kiss My Seoul SOMA Restaurant Closed for Temperature Violations

Kiss My Seoul Inc in SOMA was forced to close by San Francisco health inspectors on November 4, 2025, after discovering multiple serious violations during a routine inspection. The Korean restaurant at 15 Boardman Place near Civic Center BART failed its inspection due to dangerous temperature violations and unsanitary conditions that put customers at risk of foodborne illness.

Critical Temperature Violations Force Closure

The most serious violation discovered during this inspection involved cooked rice being held at dangerously low temperatures of 127 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit on the restaurant's rice cooker. This temperature range falls within the danger zone where harmful bacteria like Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly, potentially causing severe food poisoning in customers who consumed the rice. Health inspectors immediately ordered the restaurant to move the rice to a proper food warmer to bring it up to safe holding temperatures. Temperature abuse is responsible for 63% of all foodborne illness outbreaks, making this violation particularly concerning for anyone who dined at the restaurant before the corrective action was taken.

Lack of Sanitization During Food Preparation

Compounding the temperature concerns, inspectors found that the restaurant had no sanitizing solution available while actively preparing food for customers. This created a perfect storm for cross-contamination, as staff had no way to properly sanitize food contact surfaces between different food preparations. The inspector immediately provided a chlorine sanitizing solution with 100 parts per million concentration to address this critical gap in food safety protocols. Without proper sanitization, bacteria from raw ingredients can easily spread to ready-to-eat foods, creating serious health risks for diners.

Widespread Cleanliness Issues

Beyond the immediate food safety concerns, inspectors documented significant cleanliness problems throughout the kitchen. Grease accumulation was found on hood baffles and cooking equipment surfaces, creating an environment that harbors bacteria and attracts pests like cockroaches and rodents. Additional violations included debris accumulation on the exterior of the rice cooker and improper food separation and protection measures. The restaurant was given seven days to address the grease and debris issues, though the facility remains closed until all violations are corrected.

First-Time Violations for New Restaurant

This marks the first recorded health inspection for Kiss My Seoul Inc, as no previous inspection records were found in the city's database. The restaurant appears to be a relatively new establishment in the SOMA neighborhood, making these initial violations particularly concerning for establishing proper food safety practices.

Impact on SOMA Dining Scene

The closure affects dining options near the busy Civic Center BART station, where office workers and residents frequently grab quick meals. The violations discovered at Kiss My Seoul highlight the importance of proper food safety training and equipment maintenance for restaurants serving the downtown community. The restaurant must address all cited violations and pass a reinspection before being allowed to reopen. Currently, there is no indication when Kiss My Seoul Inc might resume operations, leaving the Boardman Place location shuttered indefinitely. Customers who recently dined at the restaurant and experience symptoms of food poisoning should contact their healthcare provider and report the illness to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.