Dining options in Honolulu’s Chinatown took a hit this week after the Hawaii Department of Health ordered the immediate closure of Legend Seafood Restaurant. Inspectors from the Food Safety Branch arrived at the establishment on North Beretania Street this past Thursday, leaving behind a red placard that signals an urgent public health risk. The popular spot for dim sum and Cantonese cuisine was shut down following the discovery of several critical safety failures during a routine check.
Among the most alarming findings reported by officials was a widespread roach infestation within the facility. Beyond the pests, inspectors uncovered moldy products inside the walk-in refrigerator and noted that various food items were not properly separated or shielded from potential contamination. Temperature control also proved to be a major issue, as many items were kept at inadequate cold holding temperatures, failing to meet necessary safety standards.
Health officials further cited the kitchen for improper date marking and disposal practices, meaning staff weren’t accurately tracking when prepared foods should be consumed or discarded. These systemic lapses led to the mandatory shutdown, as state law requires establishments with such severe violations to cease operations immediately to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses.
To get its doors open again, Legend Seafood Restaurant must prove it has completely eradicated the pest problem and overhauled its storage protocols. This includes ensuring all refrigerators maintain temperatures at or below forty one degrees Fahrenheit and verifying that all stored ingredients are unadulterated and correctly labeled. A follow up inspection was scheduled for Friday to determine if these corrective measures had been successfully implemented.
