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KIMCHI POP BY CHEF SON

939 N ASHLAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

KIMCHI POP BY CHEF SON has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 12, 2018. The most recent inspection, on September 26, 2025, found no infractions.

6 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 3, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on June 26, 2019. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 once on June 26, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 once on June 26, 2019. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 16 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, 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.

14 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL SURROUNDING VARIOUS PIECES OF EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE FOIL TO MAKE SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON DOOR OF PREP COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT IN TOILET ROOM AND BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  7. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF IN THE BASEMENT UNDERNEATH THE UNUSED DISH MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE FRONT 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEAR THE REGISTER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER IN THE ONE DOOR COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS AND ORAGNIZE THE CLUTTER IN THE BASMENT TO PREVENT HABORAGE FOR PEST.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR BEHIND COOK LINE NOT CLEAN, GREASE BUILD UP, FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Canvass

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF. DOORS HAVE APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOORS. MUST MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING WALL ON THE EAST SIDE OF WASHROOM IN BASEMENT ALSO OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS. MUST REPAIR AND MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
  13. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED NOT PROPER DATE MARKING ON TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24HOURS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED PIC TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOOD ITEMS WITH AN ASTERISK (*)TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL INSIDE PREMISES. OBSERVED OVER 25 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH STORAGE SHELF ON THE WEST SIDE OF BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZED AFFECTED AREA AND WHENEVER NEEDED. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE PEST PROBLEM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND REAR EXIT DOOR IN BASEMENT NOT RODENT PROOF. DOORS HAVE APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOORS. MUST MAKE DOORS RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING WALL ON THE EAST SIDE OF WASHROOM IN BASEMENT ALSO OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS. MUST REPAIR AND MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS INSIDE WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  14. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PROIRITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A BACK FLOW DEVICE ON THE MOP SINK IN THE BASEMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED THE FLOORS IN POOR REPAIR(CRACK TILES AND MISSING GROUT) IN THE 1st FLOOR WASHROOM AND IN THE KITCHEN AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOORS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODES OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

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