A neighborhood sushi spot on Geary Street that has earned a loyal Lower Nob Hill following was shuttered last week after health inspectors found cockroaches crawling across food-contact surfaces throughout the kitchen — and discovered that someone had been living in the upstairs dining room. Fishmandu Sushi at 846 Geary Street was ordered closed on March 9, 2026 following a routine inspection by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The closure was short-lived: the restaurant’s permit has since been reinstated after a reinspection confirmed all imminent health hazards had been corrected, according to the SF Department of Public Health inspection report.
Cockroaches in the Kitchen — and a Bed Upstairs
The picture painted by inspector Michael Mooney’s report is a striking one. Cockroaches were observed on plates, the prep top, prep tables, under the counter, on shelves near the prep station, and on clean dishes next to the three-basin sink, per the inspection report. The infestation extended to the handwashing sink, above the three-basin sink, along ceiling pipes in the kitchen, and under the counter at the point-of-sale area. Cockroach droppings were found on conduit near the ceiling, along the wall by the office stairway, and on pipes leading to the upstairs space.
Adding an unusual dimension to the closure, inspectors also found the restaurant’s upstairs dining area set up as a living space — complete with a bed and clothing. The person in charge told the inspector the personal belongings would be removed within a few days. California Health and Safety Code prohibits sleeping or living quarters in any room where food is prepared, stored, or sold, and the inspector flagged it as a separate violation. The report notably raised the concern that if the occupant’s belongings were moved out in the near term, steps should be taken to ensure cockroaches weren’t inadvertently transferred to a new residence.
Inspectors also found that whoever had been attempting to deal with the roaches had been doing so with consumer-grade products — a can of Raid and boric acid roach powder — rather than a licensed pest control operator as required by law. The report notes the facility had no active pest control contract at the time of inspection. The warewashing machine also failed to produce any detectable chlorine sanitizer after two test cycles, meaning dishes and food surfaces weren’t being properly sanitized.
A Nepali-Owned Gem on Geary
The violations are a jarring contrast to Fishmandu’s reputation among regulars. The name is a clever portmanteau of “fish” and Kathmandu — a nod to the Nepali roots of the owners, who according to DoorDash, bring more than a decade of sushi expertise to the restaurant. Reviewers on Corner describe a husband-and-wife team where the chef handles the sushi counter and his wife runs front-of-house “with actual warmth,” singling out the Sunshine Roll and the salmon sashimi as standouts. It’s the kind of place that earns repeat visits and cross-bay commutes — a few regulars on review sites mention crossing the Bay Bridge specifically for it.
Cleared and Reopened
The turnaround was swift. Following a reinspection, the SF Department of Public Health reinstated Fishmandu’s Permit to Operate, confirming that all violations related to imminent public health hazards had been addressed, as What Now SF reported. The restaurant was not alone in its brief closure that week — two other San Francisco restaurants, The Willows and Lers Ros 16th Street, were also shuttered on March 9 for cockroach infestations and subsequently cleared to reopen, per the same reporting…