Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail over ant dessert

Prosecutors in South Korea are seeking a one-year prison term for the owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant for serving a sorbet topped with ants, an ingredient not approved for human consumption under local law.

The allegations

The restaurant, located in Seoul's upmarket Gangnam district, is accused of using imported dried ants from the US and Thailand since 2021. Prosecutors estimate that about 49,000 ants were used across 12,200 servings, generating approximately 120 million won ($81,470) in revenue Source: CNN. The case emerged after food safety officials spotted social media posts featuring the ant-topped dessert Source: BBC.

Legal framework

South Korea's Food Sanitation Act permits only 10 insect species for consumption, including grasshoppers and silkworm pupae, but not ants Source: Guardian. Violations carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison or a 50 million won fine. Prosecutors have also requested a 20 million won ($13,510) fine for the restaurant Source: BBC.

The defence

The restaurant owner admitted serving ants but argued that only about 60% of diners opted for the topping, disputing the prosecution's revenue calculation Source: BBC. The defence noted that ants are used in restaurants in countries like Denmark, the UK, and Australia, and that the chef had used them abroad without realizing it was illegal in South Korea Source: Guardian. Health authorities reportedly found the ants contained up to 55 times more heavy metals than approved edible insects .