MARINATION MA KAI
1660 HARBOR AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98126 · Restaurant (Seating 51-150)
Inspection summary
MARINATION MA KAI has been inspected 25 times by Public Health – Seattle & King County since November 27, 2012. The most recent inspection, on January 21, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
15 of 25 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.
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 10 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 12, 2019. For example:
2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2026. For example:
4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 9, 2018. For example:
3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2026. For example:
3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
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 once on November 4, 2016. For example:
4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
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.
25 inspections
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 4200 - Food-contact surfaces maintained, cleaned, sanitized
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
3 infractions
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 1720 - Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 degrees F to 134 degrees F
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- BLUE
- 4400 - Plumbing properly sized, installed,...
- BLUE
- 3300 - Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
- BLUE
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
2 infractions
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 4100 - Warewashing facilities properly installed,...
- Return Inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
5 infractions
- 2800 - Food received at proper temperature
- BLUE
- 1900 - No room temperature storage; proper use of time...
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures (less than130 degrees)
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 1600 - Proper cooling procedure
- RED
- 2800 - Food received at proper temperature
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- RED
- 2110 - Proper cold holding temperatures (greater than 45° F)
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures (less than130 degrees)
- RED
- 1710 - Proper hot holding temperatures (less than130 degrees)
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
0 infractions
- Consultation/Education - Field
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection/Field Review
1 infraction
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
- BLUE
- 3700 - In-use utensils properly stored
Nearby inspected facilities
- UNWIND CAFE
1619 HARBOR AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98126
19 inspections
- SALTY'S ON ALKI
1936 HARBOR AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98126
30 inspections
- SALTY'S ON ALKI
1936 HARBOR AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98126
43 inspections
- SALTY'S ON ALKI
1936 HARBOR AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98126
54 inspections
- MIOPOSTO WEST LLC
2139 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98116
6 inspections
- WEST SEATTLE GROUNDS
2141 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98116
10 inspections
- THE NOOK
2206 CALIFORNIA AVE SW UNIT A, SEATTLE, WA 98116
1 inspection
- CURRENT COFFEE
2206 B CALIFORNIA AVE SW, SEATTLE, WA 98116
5 inspections