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Watari Kitchen / Heart Tattoo Society

320 Alexander St, Vancouver BC V6A 2Y9 · Food Service Establishment 1

Official record from Vancouver Coastal →

Inspection summary

Watari Kitchen / Heart Tattoo Society has been inspected 10 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since December 21, 2023. The most recent inspection, on July 23, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

3 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 19 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 23, 2026. For example: The premises is free of pests.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 23, 2026. For example: Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 16, 2026. For example: The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.

  • 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 July 16, 2026. For example: Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.

  • 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 once on September 10, 2025. For example: Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.

About this data

These results come from Vancouver Coastal 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.

10 inspections

  1. Routine Follow-up

    2 infractions

    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  2. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair.
    • The Permit to Operate a food service establishment is valid and is posted in a conspicuous location.
      • Permit to Operate is not posted in a conspicuous location.
    • Food is handled in a sanitary manner and is not subject to contamination.
      • Food is not protected from contamination during transportation, display, storage or preparation.
      • Food is not properly covered and protected from contamination.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
      • Equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces are not maintained/used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
    • The premises is free of conditions that lead to harbouring, breeding and entry of pests.
  3. Routine Follow-up

    3 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
  4. Routine

    7 infractions

    • Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
      • Premises is not in adequate repair or in sanitary condition.
    • The Permit to Operate a food service establishment is valid and is posted in a conspicuous location.
      • Permit to Operate is not posted in a conspicuous location.
    • The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
      • The premises is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
      • Hand washing stations are not properly supplied and maintained.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
      • Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
    • Operator of a food service establishment has approved written procedures to ensure the safe and sanitary operation of the establishment.
      • Sanitizer levels are not being monitored and recorded.
      • Test strips are not available to monitor sanitizer level.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
      • Premises has signs of insect activity.
  5. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  6. Routine

    1 infraction

    • Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
  7. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  8. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Each employee demonstrates good personal hygiene and washes their hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food.
    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.
  9. Routine Follow-up

    0 infractions

  10. Routine

    1 infraction

    • The premises is free of pests.
      • Premises has signs of rodent activity.

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