General Food Services · King County, WA

Umami Ballard LLC

6421 15th Ave Nw, B

Last inspected Apr 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Unsatisfactory

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Repeat ProblemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Umami Ballard LLC last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Apr 16, 2026. The result listed by Public Health – Seattle & King County was “Unsatisfactory” (official score 18).
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 3 violations recorded, including 1 marked critical. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 5 inspections on record, from Apr 8, 2024 to Apr 16, 2026.
Has Umami Ballard LLC ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Apr 8, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

5 inspections

Routine Inspection/Field Review

Apr 16, 2026

Unsatisfactory

Official score: 18 · Understand This Area’s Scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 3300Contamination

Official Wording

Potential food contamination prevented during delivery, preparation, storage, display

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 3700Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

In-use utensils properly stored

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

criticalCode 1100Contamination

Official Wording

Proper disposition of returned, unsafe, or contaminated food; proper date marking procedures for food at high risk for Listeria

In Plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Public Health – Seattle & King County, Apr 16, 2026 · Original Source

Routine Inspection/Field Review

Aug 4, 2025

Unsatisfactory

Official score: 20 · Understand This Area’s Scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 3200Pests

Official Wording

Insects, rodents, animals not present; entrance controlled

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 insects

minorCode 3100Food source and labeling

Official Wording

Food properly labeled; proper date marking

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

criticalCode 2600Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

Compliance with valid permit; operating and risk control plans, and required written procedures

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Public Health – Seattle & King County, Aug 4, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection/Field Review

Feb 18, 2025

Unsatisfactory

Official score: 35 · Understand This Area’s Scale

6 recorded violations

minorCode 3100Food source and labeling

Official Wording

Food properly labeled; proper date marking

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 4100Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used

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 3400Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Wiping cloths properly used, stored; sanitizer concentration

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

criticalCode 1400Other

Official Wording

Raw meats below and away from ready-to-eat food; species separated

In Plain English

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

More about other finding

criticalCode 1720Food temperature

Official Wording

Proper hot holding temperatures; between 130 to 134 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (54 to 56 degrees Celsius (C))

In Plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

criticalCode 2500Chemicals

Official Wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

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 Public Health – Seattle & King County, Feb 18, 2025 · Original Source

Routine Inspection/Field Review

Sep 9, 2024

Unsatisfactory

Official score: 16 · Understand This Area’s Scale

4 recorded violations

minorCode 3000Food temperature

Official Wording

Proper thawing methods used

In Plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 4100Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used

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 3700Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

In-use utensils properly stored

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

criticalCode 0200Other

Official Wording

Food Worker Cards current for all food workers; new food workers trained

In Plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Public Health – Seattle & King County, Sep 9, 2024 · Original Source

Routine Inspection/Field Review

Apr 8, 2024

Unsatisfactory

Official score: 33 · Understand This Area’s Scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode 4100Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Warewashing facilities properly installed, maintained, used; sanitizer concentration; test strips available and used

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 3100Food source and labeling

Official Wording

Food properly labeled; proper date marking

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 4300Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Nonfood-contact surfaces maintained and clean

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

criticalCode 0600Handwashing

Official Wording

Adequate handwashing facilities

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.

Official Wording

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

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 Public Health – Seattle & King County, Apr 8, 2024 · Original Source