NICHIWA JAPANESE KITCHEN
10376 E COLONIAL DRIVE UNIT 126, Orlando FL 32817 · 407-203-4496
Last inspected May 26, 2026 · 10 visits since October 2023
AUG 24
OCT 24
SEP 25
FEB 26
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine bottles stored next to coffee mate powder in front counter. Motrin bottle stored over salt and pepper mixture in dry roach across from three bay sink.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2026023482 | Feb 12, 2026 | May 6, 2026 | $800 |
| 4--2024046336 | Aug 7, 2024 | Sep 11, 2024 | $400 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 12, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 18 violations recorded, 7 high priority.
7 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee was cutting cucumbers for sushi with bare hands.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw shrimp stored over Sno peas in reach in freezer Raw beef stored on same container as wonton wrappers
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork stored over ready to eat sauces in reach in cooler. Raw shell eggs over bamboo shoots in reach in cooler
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Rice left over from last night been use in sushi area.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Escolar and white fish kept on sushi enclosure for less than 4 hours with the temperature of 48F. Inspector asked manager to place in cooler for rapid cooling.
Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control not discarded at the end of the 4-hour/6-hour period. See stop sale. Sushi rice left over from last night
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by chair and box, hand sink located in kitchen entrance. Removed.Corrected On-SiteCorrected On-Site**
When operator asked to identify product used for specific item advertised on menu/menu board, operator indicated an imitation product or different product was used. Mahi Mahi roll advertised online and on restaurant menu and white fish is been served to customers. No Mahi Mahi available in restaurant.. Red snapper roll advertised on online menu and no red snapper found in restaurant. When ask manager she said she will give customers tilapia. Menus must be changed to reflect correct information.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl use to scoop chicken in cook line, removed Corrected On-SiteCorrected On-Site**
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Handles on reach in freezer located by dry storage
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee open drink stored over make table in cook line removed.Corrected On-SiteCorrected On-SiteRepeat Violation**
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Debris on floor under equipment in cook line
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Gaskets and top of cooler doors in cooler across from stove. Shelves on reach in cooler located by three compartment sink.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of cups on floor on dry storage
Sep 12, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over white sauce in reach in cooler
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. krab sticks 46F, tuna 46F, yellow tail 48F, salmon 48F, krab mix 48F all kept on four drawer cooler in sushi area, kept for 1 hr. All items placed on freezer, rechecked 43F
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. NO bowl handle use to scoop raw chicken in white container
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Handles on reach in coolers and freezers
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open drinks stored over stored over make table in cook line
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating on cook line, food kept on cutting board on make table. Employee eating on front counter, food kept next to powders use for drinks.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach in cooler across from flat top
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Debris on floor under equipment
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bucket with raw chicken been thawed stored on floor in front of chest freezer.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Mold like substance in shelves in tall reach in cooler located close to dish area.
Screening is not 16-mesh to the inch.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of cups stored directly on floor
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Slow drain on hand sink located by three compartment sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw beef been thawed at room temperature Raw chicken thawing on standing water
Oct 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over cut cabbage Raw shrimp over curry in prep cooler
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink at front counter area had container Hand sink on cookline used for filling pot
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In flower container
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee Phone, glasses, medicine, on expo table
Equipment in poor repair. Torn gasket in prep cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Gasket in prep cooler, and gasket in white reach in freezer. -Sides of fryer, flat top, and prep cooler. -Exterior of microwave -Top of white freezer and inside edge
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Bottom interior of all upright coolers and freezer
Single-service articles improperly stored. Cases of cups on floor in back storage area f
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Slow draining sink by 3 bay
Aug 8, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease build up and debris under and behind cooking equipment
Aug 7, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 26 violations recorded, 6 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
6 High priority5 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 26 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine bottles stored next to coffee mate powder in front counter. Motrin bottle stored over salt and pepper mixture in dry roach across from three bay sink.
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Green towel kept inside sushi rice left from last night Paper towels lining cooked shrimp kept in tall reach in cooler
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw pork stored over noodles and baked cakes with octopus in reach in freezer
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp and chicken stored over curry sauce on reach in cooler located in front of flat top.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 1 rodent dropping in floor in front of reach in cooler located in cook line 1 rodent dropping on trim located under electrical panel by back exit door 7 rodent droppings on floor located behind cooking equipment in cook line 1 rodent dropping on floor under prep table that has rice cooker located next to reach in freezer 4 rodent droppings located on floor behind wheel from reach in freezer Total: 14 droppings
Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Per operator they placed the rice on time at 12:00 pm
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Cream cheese opened on Wednesday with no date marked. Sardines opened on Monday with no date marked Massago opened on Monday with no date marked
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Lids and comet chemical stored inside hand wash sink located by three bay sink.
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Curry sauce made on Monday with no date marked Tofu cut on Monday with no date marked Ground tuna mix made on Monday with no date marked
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Records missing trainers certificate number
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl use to scoop rice
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Hole on ceiling tile over dish area Gap on ceiling tiles over hood system
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle and other drink bottle stored on shelf on top of reach in cooler located at cook line.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Open coffee drink stored over reach in cooler located in cook line.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease build up and debris under and behind cooking equipment
Food stored on floor. Bags of rice and water bottles stored directly on floor in dry storage area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease build up on hood filters over fryers.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee pink drink stored over noodles in tall reach in cooler.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler located in cook line has debris from tempura batter.
Single-service articles improperly stored. To go cups stored directly on floor located at dry storage
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Black to go container use for sushi kept facing up in front counter, soup plastic containers kept facing up by hot holding unit in kitchen
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken been thawed in standing water
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Debris on wall behind cook line
Apr 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. To go bags directly touching of beef and pork
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Flour used for frying chicken not changed every 4 hours. Operator immediately discarded.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink by cook line had spoon in basin Hand sink by 3 bay sink had container in basin
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. chicken base prepared 2 days ago per operator.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop chicken
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Air vent in kitchen over big two door coolers and air vent over dish Machine
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn in prep cooler
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Inside and Outside microwave
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Gasket in prep table -Sides of prep cooler - sides of grill -outside of ice machine -Outside of seasoning containers soiled
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. White fridge inside bottom and gaskets inside door
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. panko and chicken seasoning
Feb 8, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 22, 2023Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator removed three bay sink from front counter and added a reach in cooler and a sushi cooler. Operator also added a two door freezer into storage area behind bathroom.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.Provided operator with document.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.Open drink stored on counter with blenders at front area.
Oct 20, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority9 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef stored over cooked beef in chest freezer.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. RW chicken stored on top of dumplings on cook line.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken stored over raw fish on tall, reach in cooler.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.Provided operator with plan
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Spicy yellowtail roll, spicy tuna, tuna avocado, sweet heart roll, rainbow roll, black dragon, Hawaii, crazy tuna, volcano roll, lobster roll, dream roll, yellow tail, scallion, jalapeño, Y2K mango salmon, sushi entree with miso soup. Must fix restaurant menu and Togo menus.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.At both hand sinks in kitchen.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator removed three bay sink from front counter and added a reach in cooler and a sushi cooler. Operator also added a two door freezer into storage area behind bathroom.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.Provided operator with document.
No soap provided at handwash sink at hand sink located by three bay.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked.Pork pulled from freezer yesterday and no date marked.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Eggs cooked on Monday with no date marked, pork cooked on Sunday with no date marked, milk opened two days ago. No date marked.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.Open drink stored on counter with blenders at front area.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor.Syrups kept on dry storage.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.On hand wash sink by three bay sink.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner.Shrimp been thawed in standing water.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.