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A

Kam Lai

708 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10025

Chinese Upper West Side (212) 749-8990

Grade A · as of Jan 21, 2026

Kam Lai was last inspected on January 21, 2026 and scored 11 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

January 21, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 11 points (A range)

1 critical1 general

CriticalFood temperature

Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

Official wording (code 02G)
Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
GeneralFacility upkeep

Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

Official wording (code 10F)
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

3 inspections on record

Jul 23, 2024 A 5 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
1 general Show violations
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.
  
  Official wording (code 10F)
  Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
Mar 29, 2023 A 13 points (A range)

Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection
1 critical2 general Show violations
- CriticalFood temperature
  
  Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.
  
  Official wording (code 02B)
  Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
- GeneralFood handling
  
  Frozen food was being thawed the wrong way.
  
  Official wording (code 09B)
  Thawing procedure improper.
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.
  
  Official wording (code 10F)
  Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

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How NYC grades restaurants

Inspectors add points for each violation. Lower is better.
0–13 points earns an A. 14–27 is a B. 28 or more is a C.
A restaurant that scores 14 or more on its first inspection gets no grade yet. It is re-inspected about a month later and can display “Grade Pending” in the meantime.

More on reading these results

Severity levels

Critical Can directly make someone sick: food temperatures, contamination, pests, hand-washing.
General Cleanliness, maintenance and facility problems.
Paperwork Missing signs, permits or paperwork.

More in Upper West Side

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 9 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.