On the Bridge Japanese Restaurant Closed for Rodent Infestation

A popular Japanese restaurant in Pacific Heights was immediately shut down by San Francisco health inspectors after they discovered a severe rodent and cockroach infestation that posed serious health risks to customers. On the Bridge, located at 1581 Webster Street, had its health permit suspended on November 17, 2025, following a routine inspection that uncovered alarming conditions throughout the kitchen and dining areas. The restaurant, owned by Mitsuhiro Nakamura and Yolanda Nakamura, failed the inspection with five violations, including one critical violation that immediately triggered the closure.

Shocking Health Violations Found

The most disturbing discovery was the extensive rodent infestation evidenced by numerous droppings found in multiple locations where food is stored and prepared. Inspectors documented rodent droppings by the water heater at the back of the kitchen, on dry storage ledges directly next to food items including bags of rice and boxes of onions, near a rice cooker at the kitchen entrance, under the mechanical dishwashing machine, and on the floor throughout the kitchen area. The contamination extended to the front dining area, where rodent droppings were found under the ice machine in the bar area, creating a health hazard that could have directly affected customer service areas. Equally alarming was the active cockroach infestation discovered throughout the facility. Live cockroaches were observed crawling on food contact surfaces, including a sheet pan stored under the oven. Inspectors found juvenile and adult cockroaches on the bar ledge below clean cups, in back storage areas near the refrigerator, and on the wooden walls by the water heater. Dead cockroaches were discovered on food storage containers, wall hangings, and even on top of the two-door refrigerator, indicating a long-standing pest problem that had gone unaddressed.

Additional Food Safety Violations

Beyond the pest infestation, inspectors identified several other critical food safety issues. An employee was observed washing hands without changing gloves, a practice that can spread contamination. More concerning was the discovery of cooked chicken cooling at room temperature, measuring 121 degrees Fahrenheit after sitting out for 20 minutes, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth and potential foodborne illness. The restaurant also lacked proper sanitizer solutions at the time of inspection, compromising the ability to maintain clean food contact surfaces.

Health Risks to Customers

The violations posed serious health risks to anyone who dined at the establishment. Rodent droppings can carry dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and hantavirus, while cockroaches are known vectors for 33 types of bacteria and six parasitic worms. The improper food temperature control could have led to bacterial multiplication in prepared foods, potentially causing severe foodborne illnesses.

Previous Inspection History

This was only the second recorded inspection for On the Bridge, with the restaurant having no prior history of serious violations. The facility was able to reopen on November 21, 2025, after a reinspection confirmed that pest control services had been completed and no new rodent or cockroach activity was observed. The closure highlights the importance of regular health inspections in protecting public safety, especially in the densely populated Pacific Heights neighborhood where the restaurant serves both local residents and tourists visiting the area's dining scene.