Follow-Up Inspection
Aug 8, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Aug 8, 2026 · Original Source
Santa Clara County, CA
Ramen Kowa
445 S California Av
Last inspected Aug 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Ramen Kowa has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
3 inspectionsRoutine Inspection
Aug 7, 2026
Closed
The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.
2 recorded violations
criticalCode K06Handwashing
Official wording
Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
Inspector’s notes
Observed preparation area handwashing sink basin blocked by container filled with water. [CA] Maintain handwashing stations unobstructed and accessible at all times. [COS] The plastic container was removed at this time.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemscriticalCode K23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds, or animals
Inspector’s notes
1. Observed Vermin: Documented in the following areas: Rodent droppings observed at the following locations at their approximate amounts: - 20 droppings on the ground below the dish machine, including below the unit itself and the adjacent drain boards - 5 droppings below the table at the preparation area across from the cooks line - 1 dropping on the drainboard of the three compartment sink - 5 droppings on the ground near the back kitchen entrance - 30 droppings on the ground behind the upright cooler unit in the back storage area 2. Photographs: Taken for documentation purposes. 3. Supervisor Notified: Anjani Sircar 4. Notification: The person in charge during inspection, owners Kota and Baran, has been informed that the facility must close immediately. [CA]: The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin. A facility cannot operate if there is a vermin infestation that leads to contamination of food contact surfaces, packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food. The facility is required to cease operations immediately and must remain closed until all corrective actions on the provided checklist are completed. Requirements Before Reopening: 1. Email the signed and completed Reopening Checklist to the assigned inspector. 2. Submit a copy of the pest control report from a licensed provider.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsOfficial record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Aug 7, 2026 · Original Source
Routine Inspection
Jan 12, 2026
Pass
8 recorded violations
minorCode K36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
Equipment, utensils, linens: Proper storage and use
Inspector’s notes
FOUND A PLASTIC CONTAINER BEING USED TO SCOOP THE RICE FROM THE WORKING CONTAINER. [CA] PROVIDE FOOD GRADE WASHABLE SCOOP WITH A HANDLE AND KEEP THE HANDLE OUTSIDE THE FOOD.
In plain English
Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.
More about equipment or utensil issuesminorCode K45Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Floor, walls, ceilings: built,maintained, clean
Inspector’s notes
FOUND TWO CELL PHONES STORED ON THE SLICER. [CA] STORE PERSONAL ITEMS SEPARATE AND AWAY FROM FOOD OR FOOD RELATED ITEMS. COS
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode K34Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Warewash facilities: installed/maintained; test strips
Inspector’s notes
MISSING THE CHLORINE TEST STRIPS TO MEASURE BETWEEN 50-100 PPM AT THE WARE WASHING MACHINE. [CA] PROVIDE TEST STRIPS.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode K33Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Nonfood contact surfaces clean
Inspector’s notes
FOUND DUST ON THE FAN COVERS IN THE WALK IN COOLER. [CA] CLEAN THE FAN COVERS MORE OFTEN. FOUND THE SHELVES IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH ACCUMULATION OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. [CA] CLEAN THE SHELVES MORE OFTEN.
In plain English
Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.
More about cleaning or sanitizing problemsminorCode K06Handwashing
Official wording
Adequate handwash facilities supplied, accessible
Inspector’s notes
REPEAT VIOLATION FOUND A CONTAINER WITH WATER STORED INSIDE THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE KITCHEN. [CA] KEEP THE HAND WASH SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. COS FOUND FOOD AND FOOD RELATED ITEMS ON THE TABLE ADJACENT TO THE HAND WASH SINK IN THE KITCHEN AND AT THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. [CA] DO NOT STORE ANY FOOD OR FOOD RELATED ITEMS ON THIS TABLE OR RELOCATE THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER AND SOAP TO ABOVE THE SINK AND PROVIDE A MINIMUM 6" HIGH METAL SPLASH GUARD SPANNING THE FULL LENGTH OF THE SINK.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsminorCode K44Pests
Official wording
Premises clean, in good repair; Personal/chemical storage; Adequate vermin-proofing
Inspector’s notes
THE BACK DOORS HAVE A GAP UNDER THE DOOR GREATER THAN A QUARTER OF AN INCH. [CA] REDUCE THE GAP TO LESS THAN A QUARTER OF AN INCH TO DENY ENTRANCE TO RODENTS.
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode K41Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
Plumbing approved, installed, in good repair; proper backflow devices
Inspector’s notes
FOUND THE DISCHARGE HOSE FROM THE ICE MACHINE BELOW THE RIM OF THE FLOOR SINK. [CA] PROVIDE AN AIR GAP AT LEAST TWICE THE DIAMETER OF THE INLET AND NO LESS THAN 1 INCH.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsminorCode K38Facility maintenance
Official wording
Adequate ventilation/lighting; designated areas, use
Inspector’s notes
THE LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN AND FOOD PREPARATION AREA DO NOT HAVE A COVER. [CA] PROVIDE A COVER OR PROVIDE SHATTERPROOF LIGHTS.
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesOfficial record from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Jan 12, 2026 · Original Source