At a glance
CleanCleaver food safety systematic review results
What happened?
51/ 100 · 49 points taken off
12 problems found · 4 marked critical · Routine county inspection · Mar 6, 2026
At the routine inspection on Mar 6, 2026. The latest visit, on Mar 25, 2026, was a follow-up inspection. No notes were taken at it.
Is that a lot?
Most food places here got 2 to 15 points taken off. Nippon Curry got more than most.
Compared with 9,600 Santa Clara County food places. Each place's last routine inspection counts.
What was found out about Nippon Curry?
It's fair to care about this. Here's what the county found. Tap any item to see how a kitchen fixes it.
- Marked critical: Hand sink not ready to use K06How to fixFix it
- Marked critical: Time as a control not marked or logged K08How to fixFix it
- Marked critical: Cooked food not cooled in time K09How to fixFix it
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
We review Santa Clara County health data to make this report. We are not the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health.
Visit them directly at deh.santaclaracounty.gov (opens the department's site) · How we review
For Nippon Curry's team
Is this your place?
Welcome, Nippon Curry. We'll walk through this together, one item at a time. To log the fixes, claim Nippon Curry first; we check that you run it.
Your whole team can help. Each person gets one next step, and everyone can see what's done.
This is my place: claim Nippon CurryWe'll help you get every item done. You don't have to do it alone.
We know an inspection can feel heavy, especially when it's busy.
Fix it together
Follow the steps for each item, with the rule beside it.
Next: Hand sink not ready to useThe county found: “The only handwash station in the facility was obstructed. The rim of the handwash basin had an accumulation of filth…”
First step: Hand sinks are for hands only
Then the next one: Time as a control not marked or logged
Log it
Your team logs the fix on their phones, with the time and who did it.
Show what you did
Saying what you fixed, in your own words, builds trust. Families and regulars respect a kitchen that owns it and fixes it.
Each fix step comes from the rule it names: Food Code 2-301.15, Food Code 3-501.19, Food Code 4-603.16, Food Code 3-305.11.
Try it yourself
Fix and log it: Hand sink not ready to use
A practice run. Nothing is saved. Tap each step when it's done.
0 of 3 done
Hand sinks are for hands only
From Food Code 2-301.15
Logged
That's one done. We'll be here for the next.
What people see now
Today, people see the department's words and nothing from you.
What people see after you fix and log it
Example reply
CleanCleaverBusiness reply
Your business replied to this with the public statement:
We fixed this the same day. Now our team logs it on their phones at open and close.
The date of your reply
This is not an official update to the health inspection report. The county's record is unchanged.
Most kitchens get something cited at some point. What people remember is that you fixed it.
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What people see next
Under each item here, people see what you fixed, in your words.
Left alone, or fixed together
Left alone, the same items can come back at the next inspection. Fixed together, they're done.
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Inspections
From County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health · 3 inspections on record · Last checked Oct 6, 2026
The county visited 2 times in the last 12 months (1 routine, 1 follow-up).
Nice work, Nippon Curry. At the follow-up 19 days later, the county listed no items still open.
You cleared the re-check in 19 days. We're proud of you.
Every visit
LatestMar 25, 2026Follow-up inspection
No notes were taken, but there was an interaction, likely addressing some or all of the prior report. No inspector comment was found. See the official report (opens the department's site) for more information.
This one: a follow-up inspection on Mar 25, 2026. A follow-up visit re-checks earlier items. The last routine inspection was Mar 6, 2026: 51 out of 100 (Yellow placard).
EarlierMar 6, 2026Routine inspection51 out of 100 (Yellow placard)
12 violations listed, 4 marked critical.
Critical (4)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
The department's words
K06 Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
The only handwash station in the facility was obstructed. The rim of the handwash basin had an accumulation of filth when obstructions were removed. [CA] Ensure the handwash station is accessible at all times and stocked with soap and paper towels. [COS] Staff removed the obstructions.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 5-205.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Hand sinks are for hands only
- Wash only at a handwashing sink.
- Never wash hands in the dish sink, a food prep sink, a mop sink, or a drink cooler.
- Never dump drinks, rinse utensils or fill pitchers at the hand sink.
From Food Code 2-301.15
Soap and hand sanitizer
4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Handwashing
The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Time as a control not marked or logged
The department's words
K08 Time as a public health control; procedures & records
1. Chicken katsu were found in the fryer basket and measured between 120-125F. Per cook it was cooked about 20 minutes prior. Per cook they cook an extra piece of chicken for each order and discard it after 30 minutes. No time marking or time tracking methods were employed. 2. Written procedures were not available. [CA] When time only, rather than time and temperature is used as a public health control, PHFs shall be time marked to indicate when item is removed from temperature control, discarded if not consumed or served within 4 hours, and written procedures shall be readily available for review. [SA] Cook showed that the previous order was done 25 minutes prior and discarded the chicken after 30 minutes came around. TPHC process appear to have been updated. TPHC form provided to update procedures.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 3-501.19
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
The 4-hour option
- Start with food at 41°F or below, or 135°F or above.
- Mark the container with the discard time: 4 hours after it left temperature control.
- Cook and serve, serve, or throw it out by that time.
- Throw out any container with no time marked.
From Food Code 3-501.19
The 6-hour option (cold food only)
2 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Time as a public health control (the 4-hour rule)
The full guide has 2 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
Two large metal pots of curry with lids on were measured between 90-100F. Per staff they cooled the pots yesterday. [CA] After heating or hot holding, Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs) shall be cooled rapidly from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours. Approved cooling methods include: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans 2) Separating the food into thinner or smaller portions. 3) Using rapid cooling equipment (Ex. blast chiller) 4) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer (ex. stainless steel) 5) Adding ice as an ingredient. 6) Using ice paddles 7) Using an ice bath and stirring frequently 8) Accordance with a HACCP plan. Cooling foods shall have enough space around the containers for cold air to circulate, be loosely covered, or uncovered and stirred as frequently needed to evenly cool. [COS] Items were VC&D. See VC&D report.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 3-501.14
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
If you miss a stage
- Missed stage 1 (not 70°F by 2 hours): reheat to 165°F and start over, or throw it out.
- Missed stage 2 (not 41°F by 6 hours): throw it out.
How to cool fast
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Cooling food in two stages
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
Staff were observed skipping the sanitizing step of warewashing. [CA] Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a three-compartment sink where the utensils are first precleaned, washed with hot soapy water, rinsed with hot water, sanitized with an approved method, and air dried. Use 1 TBS of bleach (5.25%) per 1 gal. of water for chlorine solution (100 PPM). Use 1 tbs of quaternary ammonium (10%) per 2 gal. of water for quaternary ammonium (200 PPM). [COS] EH inspector educated staff on proper warewashing procedure, helped set up a chlorine solution, and instructed staff to sanitize dishes. Warewash procedure sticker handout was provided.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Food Code 4-602.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Clean first, then sanitize
- 1. Scrape off food.
- 2. Wash with detergent and warm water.
- 3. Rinse off the soap (soap weakens sanitizer).
From Food Code 4-603.16
When to clean food-contact surfaces
4 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Cleaning vs sanitizing, and sanitizer strengths
The full guide has 4 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Not critical (8)
Shelves and surfaces need cleaning
The department's words
K33 Nonfood contact surfaces clean
The sides of cooking equipment had an accumulation of grease and food debris. [CA] Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.
Food Code 4-602.13
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Shelves, handles and outsides of equipment clean
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Food on the floor or under drips
The department's words
K30 Food storage: food storage containers identified
Potato starch in a cambro container was not labeled. [CA] Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages shall be identified with the common name of the food if not easily recognizable.
Food Code 3-305.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Where food may never be stored
- Keep food at least 6 inches off the floor.
- Never in restrooms, locker or dressing rooms, garbage rooms, or mechanical rooms (furnace, water heater, electrical).
- Never under stairs, or under sewer lines, leaking water lines or fire sprinkler lines.
From Food Code 3-305.11
Top to bottom
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Fridge and freezer storage order
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
No hot or cold water at a sink
The department's words
K21 Hot and cold water available
Hot water at the three compartment sink and prep sink measured at a maximum of 115F. [CA] Hot water shall be supplied at a minimum temperature of at least 120°F measured from the faucet throughout facility except at handwash sinks.
Food Code 5-103.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Hot and cold water at every sink
In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
No backflow test on file
The department's words
K41 Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
The handwash station hot water handle does not work. Food hall management came in to secure it but the handle went loose again during the inspection. [CA] Repair plumbing fixture and maintain in clean and good repair.
Food Code 5-205.15
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Backflow test on file
In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food
The department's words
K27 Food separated and protected
1. Raw fish was found stored in contact with fresh produce in the drawer cooler. 2. Raw shelled eggs were found stored above ready to eat foods in the walk in cooler. [CA] All food shall be separated and protected from cross-contamination. Store all raw meat or other raw products of animal origin below ready-to-eat food items.
Food Code 3-302.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Top to bottom
- 1. Top: ready-to-eat food (salads, desserts, cut fruit, cooked leftovers, deli meat, cheese, drinks)
- 2. Raw fish and seafood (cooked to 145°F)
- 3. Whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb; raw shell eggs (145°F)
From Food Code 3-302.11
Keep raw meat types apart
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Fridge and freezer storage order
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Show 3 more
Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer
The department's words
K40 Wiping cloths: properly used, stored
A wet cloth towel was observed stored on the prep surface near the cutting board. [CA] Wiping towels shall be stored in sanitizing solution of an approved concentration when not in use (100 ppm - chlorine, 200 ppm - quaternary ammonium).
Food Code 3-304.14
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Keep the bucket strong
- Wet cloths sit in sanitizer between uses: chlorine 50–99 ppm, or quat at label strength.
- Test with the cloths in the bucket when you mix it and every 2 hours.
- Remake it at once if it tests low or has food or dirt in it. Never just add more sanitizer to a dirty bucket.
From Food Code 3-304.14
Keep cloths apart
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
Wiping cloths and sanitizer buckets
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Rice serving utensil was found stored in a container of water measruing 68F. [CA] Utensils shall be stored in the following manner: 1) in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container, 2) in running water, 3) in a container of water at 135°F or above, 4) at room temperature if washed within 4 hours of initial use.
Food Code 4-901.11
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Utensils and dishes stored clean and dry
In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K34 Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
Facility lacks testing materials for their choice of sanitizer, chlorine. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing.
Food Code 4-301.12
How can a restaurant or home fix this?
Set up
- 1. Wash your hands at the hand sink (never at this sink).
- 2. Clean and sanitize all three sinks and both drainboards.
- 3. Sink 1 (WASH): detergent and water at 110°F or hotter.
From Food Code 4-301.12
Washing, step by step
3 more steps in the full guide Read the free guide
The three-compartment sink, step by step
The full guide has 3 more parts. Sign up to open the full guide in the app.
Are you Nippon Curry? Fix it
EarlierJan 29, 2025Routine inspection80 out of 100 (Green placard)
6 violations listed, 1 marked critical.
Critical (1)
Marked critical by County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right
The department's words
K14 Food contact surfaces clean, sanitized
1. At the three compartment sink staff were observed skipping the sanitizing step of ware washing. Note: Facility is using the third compartment of the sink to cool a pot of curry. [CA] Manual sanitization shall be accomplished in the final sanitizing rinse by contacting a chlorine solution of 100 PPM concentration for at least 30 seconds or by contacting a quaternary ammonium solution of 200 PPM concentration for at least 60 seconds. [SA] Facility will cease washing dishes until the curry is finished cooling. The dishes will then be rewashed and sanitized.
Critical items are the ones most likely to make someone sick. This one comes first. Here's how a kitchen fixes it.
Not critical (5)
Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed
The department's words
K36 Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
In the kitchen area, near the rice cookers, rice spatulas were found stored in water measuring at 77°F. [CA] Utensils shall be stored in the following manner: 1) in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container, 2) in running water, 3) in a container of water at 135°F or above or 41°F or below, 4) at room temperature if washed within 4 hours of initial use.
Cooked food not cooled in time
The department's words
K09 Proper cooling methods
In the kitchen area, at the prep sink and three compartment sink, two pots of curry were found cooling with their lids on. Note: Facility is using the third compartment of the three compartment sink to cool a large pot of curry. [CA] When cooling PHF's, food may be left uncovered or loosely covered to allow rapid cooling. Provide a SOP for the process of cooling the curry using the three compartment sink and prep sink.
Equipment in poor repair
The department's words
K35 Equipment, utensils: Approved, in good repair, adequate capacity
1. In the kitchen area, near the rice cookers, there is a non ANSI soup warmer brand Zojirushi - TH-CU160. 2. In the kitchen area, on the shelf, there is a non ANSI microwave. [CA] New and/or replacement food equipment shall be certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program (e.g. NSF, UL EPH, UL Sanitation, CSA Sanitation, or ETL Sanitation). Replace items with ANSI certified equivalents or provide spec sheets that confirm the equipment conform to ANSI standards.
Time as a control not marked or logged
The department's words
K08 Time as a public health control; procedures & records
Facility is using TPHC for their fried chicken. Per PIC, they double fry their chicken. The first fry is done in batches and then are refried for service. Facility is using their hours of operations as time markers. [CA] Provide written procedures and time marking for PHFs utilizing time as a public health control (TPHC). Provided TPHC guidelines via email.
Dish sink or dish machine not set up right
The department's words
K34 Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
Facility lacks the testing materials for their choice of sanitizer, chlorine. [CA] Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to adequately measure the applicable sanitization method used during manual or mechanical warewashing.
Source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health. This is the department's data, not CleanCleaver's. See the department's full record (opens the department's site)
What you can do
As a customer of Nippon Curry, you can:
Learn how these get fixed
Free, step-by-step guides for each item.
- Hand sink not ready to use Read the free guide
- Time as a control not marked or logged Read the free guide
- Cooked food not cooled in time Read the free guide
- Food-contact surfaces not cleaned or sanitized right Read the free guide
- Shelves and surfaces need cleaning In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Food on the floor or under drips Read the free guide
- No hot or cold water at a sink In CleanCleaver: Log hand sink and dish water temperatures
- No backflow test on file In CleanCleaver: Backflow device test
- Raw food not kept apart from ready-to-eat food Read the free guide
- Wiping cloths left out of sanitizer Read the free guide
- Utensils or dishes stored wet or unwashed In CleanCleaver: Check a room top to bottom
- Dish sink or dish machine not set up right Read the free guide
Call Nippon Curry
Ask for the manager. Nippon Curry can only fix what it knows about.
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Complain directly to the health department
We are not the health department. You can report to them on their site. Report to County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (opens the department's site)
When regulars speak up kindly and kitchens fix things, the whole neighborhood eats well. Now you know what the inspector found, and what you can do about it.
About this record
Opens the county's own page for this place.
Most people don't know what a normal result looks like for a place that's open every day. The ranges use each place's last routine inspection in this area. No other county is mixed in.
100 means the inspector found no problems. Santa Clara County takes points off for each problem. Big ones take off more.
The county posts a green, yellow or red placard after each inspection, and gives routine inspections a score. In the county's data, a routine inspection with no violations listed scored 100, and the score drops as violations are found. The county's page does not say which scores or findings give each color: ask the department.
- Inspection type
- Follow-up inspection
- Result
- Green placard
- Source
- County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
This is not an official ranking or grade. See the official source: County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (opens the department's site) .
Information on this page may be out of date. Check the original source to confirm.