But the ACT Magistrates Court has heard Asia Tea House in Gungahlin had implemented rigorous new cleaning procedures and spent thousands to clean up the eatery.

Health inspectors conducted a spot check on the restaurant in January last year, and what they found prompted concerns the commercial kitchen posed a public health risk.

And proprietor Ouy Tang Jong admitted some equipment hadn't been cleared for a long time, with some going unwashed since the business was bought five or six years ago.

Court documents show food was stored in damaged ice-cream containers; steamers and pots were covered in grime and walls were stained with grease and oil.

Inspectors also found cockroaches under a chest freezer in the food preparation area as well as under the microwave.

Mr Jong told health officers the Asia Tea House did not have a cockroach control program in place.

Almost 100 photos were tendered in court yesterday which health inspectors said ''showed equipment that was insanitary and not properly cleaned, which could lead to a high risk of physical, microbial and chemical contamination''.

The restaurant was immediately shut down, and was not reopened until health authorities were satisfied later that month.

Asia Tea House Pty Ltd pleaded guilty yesterday to six breaches of the territory's Food Act - offences relating to the handling and sale of food, storage practices, cleaning procedures, maintenance and pest control. Mr Jong, through his lawyer James Sabharwal, said the restaurant had since put programs in place to make sure the commercial kitchen remained clean.

But prosecutor Cameron Spence said deterring other potential offenders was an important factor.

Special Magistrate Graeme Lunney convicted and fined the company $2000 on each of the six charges.