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OBAO

222 EAST 53 STREET, Manhattan, NY 10022 · Restaurant (Korean)

Inspection summary

OBAO has been inspected 9 times by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) since July 27, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 9, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 14 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 15 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on December 1, 2025. For example: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

  • 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 9 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on May 7, 2026. For example: Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 7, 2026. For example: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

  • 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 May 7, 2026. For example: Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

  • 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 December 1, 2025. For example: Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement

About this data

These results come from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), 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.

9 inspections

  1. Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 20-06: Current letter grade or Grade Pending card not posted
      • Not Critical
  2. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 10F: Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
      • Not Critical
    • 06A: Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.
      • Critical
    • 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
      • Not Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
    • 09C: Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. Surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
      • Not Critical
    • 10G: Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
      • Not Critical
    • 02G: Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
      • Critical
  3. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    6 infractions

    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 10F: Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
      • Not Critical
    • 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
      • Not Critical
    • 03I: Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  4. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 02G: Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
      • Critical
    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 10F: Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
      • Not Critical
    • 04N: Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
      • Critical
    • 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  5. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    3 infractions

    • 10F: Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
      • Not Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 04K: Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
  6. Inter-Agency Task Force / Initial Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 09B: Thawing procedure improper.
      • Not Critical
    • 04N: Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
      • Critical
    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 02G: Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
      • Critical
    • 10B: Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
      • Not Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
  8. Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

    4 infractions

    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 04A: Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.
      • Critical
    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 06C: Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
      • Critical
  9. Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 04M: Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
      • Critical
    • 08A: Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
      • Not Critical
    • 04K: Evidence of rats or live rats in establishment's food or non-food areas.
      • Critical
    • 06D: Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
      • Critical
    • 02B: Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
      • Critical
    • 04N: Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
      • Critical

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