Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

Lien Son Restaurant

Name: Lien Son Restaurant
Address: 1216 Broadway St Ne, Minneapolis, MN

1216 Broadway St Ne

Last inspected Mar 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine

Mar 18, 2026

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

majorCode MN Rule 4626.0400AFood source and labeling

Official wording

Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared and held for more than 24 hours. Day one is the day the food was made.

Inspector’s notes

Multiple items missing date marking. Examples include cooked stock, congee/rice, chicken nuggets. Discussed with owner on site. The shelf with the chicken nuggets was marked with the date- this is not approved. You can mark a container the food is in or the bags they are in. You must mark the food or container the date the food is prepared and use or discard within 7 days.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Observed the following unapproved containers: -black plastic ramekins -#4 plastic lids for quart & 1/2 quart containers -black plastic coffee/tea lids Recyclable plastics must the numbers 1,2 or 5 and cannot be black. Discussed with owner on site, guidance document provided with report.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275AContamination

Official wording

When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a bowl stored inside of the fried rice container. You need to use something with a handle and keep the handle out of the food. Owner understood and removed bowl.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0735ABEquipment and utensils

Official wording

All equipment and components must be in good repair. Keep them maintained to manufacturer's specifications.

Inspector’s notes

The dish machine was being repaired during inspection.

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 issues

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0830Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Only use single-service items one time.

Inspector’s notes

Bags from ice re-used to store food. Cardboard box for produce used to store eggrolls. Discontinue re-using single use items to store 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 issues

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Mar 18, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Mar 13, 2025

Complete

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

majorCode MN Rule 4626.0400AFood source and labeling

Official wording

Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared and held for more than 24 hours. Day one is the day the food was made.

Inspector’s notes

Foods are not marked with date prepared. Mark the date prepared and use or discard within 7 days. Discussed date marking with owner.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

The lids for the tea cups are black plastic. Black plastic is not recyclable. When reorder stock ensure that to-go containers meet all Green to Go guidelines. Note: previous Green to Go violation was for a different item and these have been replaced with approved containers.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0490Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Discontinue using wood and wood wicker as a food contact surface.

Inspector’s notes

Observed wooden cutting boards, wooden spoon an wooden pestle. Wood is not allowed for these items as it cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Discussed approved materials with owner.

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 problems

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275AContamination

Official wording

When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a bowl stored inside of fried rice for scooping rice. This method is not approved as there is no handle on the bowl and it must be touched with hands. Options: Provide a scoop with a handle and use that to fill a bowl that is stored outside of the rice. Ensure the bowl is washed & sanitized every four hours. Continue using bowl in the rice with addition of also using fresh gloves every time the bowl is handled.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0805C1Chemicals

Official wording

Have an approved chlorine chemical sanitizer solution. The solution must have a minimum concentration of 50 ppm. The solution must also meet the temperature and pH requirements of this rule.

Inspector’s notes

Dish machine was not dispensing sanitizer solution. Owner was able to repair the machine during inspection so that the machine dispensed sanitizer solution. Corrected on site.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Mar 13, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Mar 13, 2024

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

majorCode MN Rule 4626.0400AFood source and labeling

Official wording

Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared and held for more than 24 hours. Day one is the day the food was made.

Inspector’s notes

Foods are not marked with date prepared throughout restaurant. Mark the date food is prepared and use or discard within 7 days.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Observed black to-go portion cups. Observed #4 plastic lids. These are not approved under the Green to Go ordinance. Discussed approved materials with PIC. Guidance document provided with report. Instructed PIC to use current stock so as not to go to waste. Ensure approved containers are ordered when it is time to restock.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0490Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Discontinue using wood and wood wicker as a food contact surface.

Inspector’s notes

Observed two wooden cutting boards that are used for general food prep. These are not approved as they are not able to be sanitized. Remove and use cutting boards made of materials that can be sanitized.

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 problems

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0275AContamination

Official wording

When utensils are stored in food, keep the handles stored above the level of the food to prevent contamination.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a bowl sitting in the fried rice container to be used as a scoop. Use a scoop with a handle and ensure the handle is stored in way that does not touch the food. PIC removed bowl.