Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Sushi Chef Fired For Making A Stand Against NYC DOH Gloves Rule
By
Nell Casey
Published Nov 16, 2015
Modified Nov 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Nov 16, 2015
Modified Nov 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A lauded sushi chef is out of a job following a weeks-long crusade against the Department of Health. In late October, the DOH shuttered Sushi Dojo and its outpost Sushi Dojo Express after finding chefs creating their sushi without using gloves.
Chef David Bouhadana has since become an outspoken critic of the agency, calling the rule "BS" and starting a petition to change the DOH's rule. Bouhadana—who earned the restaurant high praise from the Times among others—had some culinary heavyweights in his corner. Unfortunately, that did not include the restaurant's owner, Boris Lidukhover.
Sushi Dojo was permitted to reopen on Friday but Bouhadana has been given the boot, Eater reported. Lidukhover told the site he fired the chef over "unprofessional conduct and deliberate repeated violations of NYS DOH codes and regulations that took place on numerous occasions." When it's your restaurant, feel free to take a stand; when it's someone else's dime, watch your back.
The elaborate glove dance is likely finished at Sushi Dojo and the remaining chefs aren't likely to speak out against the DOH, which Post columnist Steve Cuozzo condemns as "inspection Nazis" and "health tyrants." Anthony Bourdain has also criticized the "monstrous" glove policy.
Despite a November 12th inspection, which yielded zero violation points, Sushi Dojo still has a Grade Pending status from the Department of Health.
Tagged
david bouhadana
doh
gloves
health department
sushi
sushi dojo
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .