JAPONAIS.

Chicago Health Dept

600 W CHICAGO AVE · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2015.

9 inspections on record since 2010 · Last inspected Mar 2015.

Last inspected Mar 2015. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2015

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 10

2015

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Storage & Handling

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE

FOUND ONE CONTAINER WITH CLAMS INSIDE THE PREP COOLER WITHOUT TAG ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL RAW SEAFOOD MUST HAVE A TAG ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER DURING STORAGE INSIDE THE PREP COOLER. AND LABEL MUST BE KEPT FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS AFTER THE ITEMS ARE ALL CONSUMED. CITATION ISSUED CRITICAL 7-38-005(B). MANAGER DENATURED THE SAID PRODUCT WORTH $5.25 TOTAL 1 LB.

Serious Other

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

FOUND NO PREVIOUS SUMMARY REPORT FROM REPORT # 1459736 DATED 5/14/14 POSTED/DISPLAYED ON SITE IN PLAIN VIEW. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT SUMMARY REPORT MUST BE POSTED/DISPLAYED IN PLAIN VIEW ON SITE FOR THE CUSTOMER. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-42-010(B).

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED/DISPLAYED ON SITE. MUST POST.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MUST STORED CLEAN POT,PANS,DISHES,TRAYS,FOOD CONTAINERS UPSIDE /DOWN INVERTED DURING STORAGE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

CAULK AROUND THE WASHBOWL SINK IN EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOM,(WOMAN) WORN OUT. MUST RE CAULK AND MAINTAIN. MUST PROVIDE PERMANENT LID FOR THE ICE BINS BEHIND THE THREE BARS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

VENTILATION IN BOTH CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOM NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED ON A SEPARATE CONTAINER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

Minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE.

MAY 14

2014

PASS · 0 violations

FEB 6

2014

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

NOTED ASSORTED MULTI USE UTENSILS (PLATES,CUPS,BOWL ETC)ON SHELVING AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA AND FRONT SERVING AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT OR PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE COVER FOR ALL MULTI USE EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE.

Minor Employee Hygiene

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK BY THE STOVE AND AT THE FAUCET OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 29

2014

FAIL 8 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

NOTED PREMISES WASHING DISHES USING HOT TEMPERATURE SANITIZER AND NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. READING TEMPERATURE IS 165F (NORMAL TEMPERATURE IS 180F). INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS SANITIZE AT PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 180F OR ABOVE.MANAGER ALSO CALLED FOR REPAIRS. BY END OF INSPECTION REPAIR PERSON ARRIVED AND FIXED THE DISH MACHINE. TEMPERATURE OF DISH MACHINE NOW READS 190F. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030

Critical Food Temperature

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE

NOTED PREMISES COOKING WITH NO HOT RUNNING WATER THROUGHOUT. TEMPERATURE NOTED WERE AS FOLLOWS:3 COMPARTMENT SINK 48.1F, EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK 65.1F, DISH WASHER WASHING TEMPERATURE 160F, RINSE TEMPERATURE 168F. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE HOT WATER ON SITE.MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR REPAIRS.BY END OF INSPECTION HOT WATER WAS RESTORED AT ABOUT 4:15 PM. CITATION ISSUED FOR CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030.

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

NOTED EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK BY THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK INACCESSIBLE (DISH PUSH CART IN FRONT OF SINK). MANAGER IMMEDIATELY REMOVED CART. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED FOR VIOLATION #7-38-030

Serious Sanitation

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

NOTED A PINKISH SLIMY SUBSTANCE AT THE UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINES DRIPPING ONTO ICE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL MACHINES ARE CLEANED AND SANITIZED. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEES CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINES BY END OF INSPECTION 4:30 PM. INSTRUCTED TO MONITOR AT AT ALL TIMES....ALSO NOTED ICE SCOOP INSIDE ICE BIN AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDER BY THE ICE BIN AND WHERE EVER NECESSARY. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-005 (A)

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

NOTED REVOLVING EXIT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOF. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. CITATION ISSUED FOR VIOLATION #7-38-020

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

NOTED WET FLOORS AT THE DISH WASHER ROOM. ALSO FLOORS AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Employee Hygiene

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK BY THE STOVE AND AT THE FAUCET OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 17

2014

FAIL 0 violations

show all 9 inspections →

JAN 18

2013

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP ON WALL EXHAUST FAN COVER IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS STORED AT PREP TABLE IN LOWER LEVEL, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY FROM FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.

MAY 1

2012

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

RUBBER GASKET OF CHEST FREEZER IS IN POOR REPAIR-MUST REPLACE. SOME CUTTING BOARDS IN MAIN KITCHEN HAVE DEEP GROOVES, MUST REPLACE. All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

DUST BUILD-UP ON FAN GUARDS & CONDENSERS OF BIG & SMALL COOLERS MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.

Minor Pest Activity

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

POOR FLOOR GROUTING UNDER THE BAR SINK (1ST FLOOR) & AT MAIN DISHROOM AREA. FLOORS AT BARS & DISHROOMS MUST BE KEPT DRY AT ALL TIMES, TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

ANY GAPS, CREVICES OR OPENINGS BETWEEN THE WALLS & BASEBOARDS IN DISHROOM & KITCHEN MUST BE SEALED. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

A WATER LEAK NOTED ON CONNECTION UNDER THE 3-COMP. SINK AT MAIN DISHROOM; THE WATER LINE UNDER THE DISHMACHINE IS ESCAPING FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN- MUST EXTEND ELBOW PIPE INTO THE DRAIN. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.

OCT 13

2011

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 10 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED EGGS AT 44-46F, MARSCAPONE CHEESE AT 44F, SOUR CREAM AT 47F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 15# OF FOOD WORTH $60. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Critical Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

Adequate and convenient toilet facilities shall be provided. They should be properly designed, maintained, and accessible to employees at all times. SERVICE BAR HANDSINK WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE CORNER OF THE BAR AREA. NEXT TO THE HANDSINK WAS A LARGE COOLER USED TO STORE WINE. IN FRONT OF THE HANDSINK AND ABOVE THE HANDSINK WERE STORAGE SHELVES USED TO STORE LIQUOR. THE SHELF WAS REMOVED SO THAT THE HANDSINK COULD BE ACCESSED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. REPLACE ANY STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE PREP AREAS. OBSERVED THE COLD PLATE IN CONTACT WITH CONSUMABLE ICE AT THE BASEMENT BAR ICE BIN. MUST SEPARATE COLD PLATE FROM CONSUMABLE ICE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND TOASTER OVEN AT THE SUSHI PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. OBSERVED EXCESSIVE WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE DISHROOM AREA. MUST MAINTAIN THE FLOOR DRY.

Minor Sanitation

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. INADEQUATE LIGHTING OBSERVED ON THE DISHROOM AND SERVICE BAR AREAS. MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIGHT SOURCES.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

MUST MOVE THE TABLETOP DEEP FRYER UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WHEN IN USE. REPAIR THE WATER LEAKS BELOW THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINKS IN THE PREP AREA AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISHROOM.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR THE MILK COOLER BELOW THE BEVERAGE SERVICE COUNTER.

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. HAIR RESTRAINTS ARE NEEDED FOR ALL SUSHI CHEFS.

Minor Other

NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

Smoking shall be prohibited in all public places except in designated smoking areas. NO "NO SMOKING SIGNS" WERE PROVIDED AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE RESTAURANT. MANAGEMENT GIVEN A COPY OF THE SIGN TO POST AT ALL ENTRANCES. VIOLATION 7-32-020

AUG 20

2010

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS AT COOKLINE AND REMOVE ALL ICE BUILD UP ON COOLERS CONDENSERS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALLS/CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT DISHMACHINE AREA.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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