Google Maps
Free Upper West Side News, Delivered To Your Inbox
A neighborhood restaurant that opened less than two years ago — and quickly drew a following for its self-serve dining concept — was cited for evidence of live rats, live roaches, and a string of food-handling violations during its most recent city health inspection.
Advertisement
Mala Town, the build-your-own hotpot spot at 929 Amsterdam Avenue between West 106th and 107th streets, racked up 85 violation points across 11 sanitary violations during a New York City Department of Health inspection on April 22. For context, restaurants scoring 0 to 13 points receive an “A” grade, those scoring 14 to 27 receive a “B,” and 28 or more points results in a “C” — the lowest letter grade the city issues.Among the most serious findings: evidence of rats and live rats in the establishment’s food or non-food areas, live roaches in the facility, and food held at improper temperatures — with hot items not kept at or above 140°F and cold items held above 41°F. Inspectors also documented food from an unapproved or unknown source, raw or prepared food that was adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated, and conditions inside the restaurant conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests.
The remaining violations covered wiping cloths not stored clean and dry between uses; food, supplies, or equipment not protected from contamination during storage, preparation, or service; a missing anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device, or equipment and floors not properly drained; and non-food contact surfaces made of unacceptable material or not kept clean. The full inspection report is available through the Department of Health’s online restaurant inspection portal.
Advertisement
Mala Town opened at the Amsterdam Avenue address in June 2024, marking its first New York City location, with additional outposts in New Jersey, Las Vegas and San Francisco, and a build-your-own hotpot setup featuring more than 80 fresh ingredients that customers serve themselves before having their bowls weighed and cooked in a chosen broth.Under standard city procedure, restaurants cited at an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within about a month, at which point a letter grade is issued and posted at the entrance.
Have a news tip? Send it to us here!
