Mala Hot Pot

Name: Mala Hot Pot
Address: 35 West 36 Street, NYC, NY, 10018, US
Telephone: (718) 688-9868

35 West 36 Street, Manhattan, NY 10018

Chinese Midtown-Midtown South (718) 688-9868

Grade C · as of Sep 2, 2026

Mala Hot Pot was last inspected on September 2, 2026 and scored 31 points (C range). Inspectors found 6 violations, 3 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

September 2, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

Score: 31 points (C range)

3 critical3 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.
CriticalHygiene & sanitation

Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.

Official wording (code 06E)
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
CriticalPests

Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

Official wording (code 04N)
Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
GeneralFacility upkeep

Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.

Official wording (code 10G)
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
GeneralFacility upkeep

Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

Official wording (code 10B)
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
GeneralPests

The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

Official wording (code 08A)
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

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

Feb 11, 2026 21 21 points (B range)

Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
3 critical2 general Show violations
- 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.
- CriticalHygiene & sanitation
  
  Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.
  
  Official wording (code 06C)
  Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
- CriticalHygiene & sanitation
  
  Wiping cloths were dirty or not kept in sanitizing solution.
  
  Official wording (code 06F)
  Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
- GeneralFood handling
  
  Frozen food was being thawed the wrong way.
  
  Official wording (code 09B)
  Thawing procedure improper.
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Fridges or hot-holding units lacked an accurate thermometer.
  
  Official wording (code 10E)
  Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment
Sep 18, 2024 A 12 points (A range)

Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection
1 critical2 general Show violations
- CriticalPests
  
  Flies or other nuisance pests were found.
  
  Official wording (code 04N)
  Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.
- GeneralPests
  
  The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.
  
  Official wording (code 08A)
  Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
- GeneralFacility upkeep
  
  Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.
  
  Official wording (code 10B)
  Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

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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.

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 Midtown-Midtown South

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 2 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.