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BALLARD MANDARIN CHINESE RESTAURANT

5500 8TH AVE NW, Seattle, WA 98107 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)

Inspection summary

BALLARD MANDARIN CHINESE RESTAURANT has been inspected 52 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since March 25, 2008. The most recent inspection, on October 5, 2026, found no infractions.

21 of 52 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 13 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 43 times across 25 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time as a control, procedures available

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 24 times across 19 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2026. For example: 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 24 times across 19 separate inspections, most recently on November 17, 2025. For example: 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 20 times across 14 separate inspections, most recently on May 9, 2022. For example: 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking

About this data

These results come from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

52 inspections

  1. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
    • 2600 - Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time as a control, procedures available
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  3. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 to 134 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 to 56 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  4. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
  5. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 0100 - PIC present, demonstrates knowledge and performs duties to maintain AMC; certified manager on staff unless exempt
      • RED
  6. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 3100 - Food properly labeled; proper date marking
      • BLUE
    • 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
  7. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    7 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
    • 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures; less than 130 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  9. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    6 infractions

    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used to evaluate temperature of TCS foods
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated
      • RED
  10. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    6 infractions

    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed, maintained, cleaned; unnecessary persons excluded from establishment
      • BLUE
    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures; between 42 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (6 to 7 degrees Celsius (C))
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time as a control, procedures available
      • RED
  11. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    9 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and nonfood surfaces properly used and constructed; cleanable
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time as a control, procedures available
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
  13. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and non-food surfaces properly used and...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
  14. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and non-food surfaces properly used and...
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  15. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 4000 - Food and non-food surfaces properly used and...
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  16. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  17. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  18. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    7 infractions

    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  19. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  20. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    11 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from ready to eat food; species separated
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
  21. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    1 infraction

    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  22. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  23. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3900 - Single use and single service articles properly...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  24. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  25. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
  26. Return Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  27. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    9 infractions

    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 1100 - Proper disposition of returned, previously served, unsafe, or contaminated food
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • 0400 - Hands washed as required
      • RED
    • 0500 - Proper barriers used to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods.
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
  28. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    2 infractions

    • 1500 - Proper handling of pooled eggs
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
  29. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  30. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  31. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    10 infractions

    • 3200 - Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled.
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored, proper sanitizer
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 3600 - Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
      • BLUE
    • 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
      • BLUE
    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  32. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
    • 1500 - Proper handling of pooled eggs
      • RED
  33. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  34. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  35. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    8 infractions

    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 4700 - Garbage, refuse properly disposed; facilities...
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 5000 - Posting of permit; mobile establishment name...
      • BLUE
    • 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, clean, sanitized
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
  36. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  37. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    9 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
    • 2200 - Accurate thermometer provided and used ...
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
    • 1500 - Proper handling of pooled eggs
      • RED
    • 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
  38. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  39. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from RTE food
      • RED
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
  40. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    5 infractions

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 0200 - Food Worker Cards current for all food...
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  41. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  42. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    3 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 3000 - Proper thawing methods used
      • BLUE
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  43. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 3400 - Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • 4800 - Physical facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 2120 - Proper cold holding temperatures ( 42° F to 45° F)
      • RED
    • 2500 - Toxic substances properly identified,...
      • RED
  44. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

  45. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  46. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  47. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    4 infractions

    • 4300 - Non-food contact surfaces maintained and clean
      • BLUE
    • 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
      • BLUE
    • 1400 - Raw meats below and away from RTE food
      • RED
    • 0600 - Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  48. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    0 infractions

  49. Return Inspection

    0 infractions

  50. Return Inspection

    2 infractions

    • No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
  51. Routine Inspection/Field Review

    6 infractions

    • Potential food contamination prevented during ...
      • BLUE
    • Wiping cloths properly used, stored
      • BLUE
    • No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
      • RED
    • Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
      • RED
    • Proper cooling procedure
      • RED
    • Adequate handwashing facilities
      • RED
  52. Consultation/Education - Field

    0 infractions

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