DOH ISSUES RED PLACARD TO HIMALAYAN KITCHEN IN KAIMUKI

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has issued a red placard and immediately shut down Himalayan Kitchen LLC, located at 1137 11th Ave., Suite 205, due to insufficient refrigeration for food requiring time/temperature control for safety (TCS).

The establishment received the red placard on Dec. 9, 2025 and must remain closed until DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all cold-holding violations are corrected. The facility may not be used to prepare food for the public, including for off-site events, until it is cleared to reopen.

During a routine inspection on Dec. 9, a DOH inspector documented multiple critical violations, including:

• Insufficient refrigeration in all units for TCS foods
• Food not in good condition, including moldy items
• Improper use of tobacco in the kitchen
• Improper date marking, including food held more than 24 hours without a seven-day discard label and food labeled past the seven-day limit
• Toxic materials stored above single-use food containers
• Evidence of rodents and insects, including a live rat and live cockroaches observed in the kitchen
• Unprotected openings allowing entry of insects and rodents

Before the restaurant can reopen, DOH is requiring the operator to restore proper cold-holding temperatures of 41°F or below for all TCS foods. A follow-up inspection will be conducted once the refrigeration units can maintain 41°F or below.

The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawaiʻi residents and visitors through education and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine inspections of facilities where food is prepared, manufactured, distributed or sold.

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