South Korean prosecutors have requested a one‑year jail term for the owner of a Michelin‑starred restaurant accused of using ants as a dessert garnish. The charge stems from the fact that ants are not among the ten insect species approved for consumption under national food safety regulations; the approved list includes grasshoppers, locusts and two‑spotted crickets, among others.
On Monday prosecutors also sought a fine of 20 million Korean won (approximately $13,510 or £10,100) against the establishment, which holds two Michelin stars. The proprietor conceded that ants were served but maintained they appeared only in what he described as a "small part" of the 15‑course menu—specifically as a topping for sorbets—and that diners were informed they could choose non‑ant alternatives.
The case came to light after officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety examined online reviews in which customers posted photographs of dishes sprinkled with ants. Investigators estimate that roughly 49,000 ants, imported from the United States and Thailand, were incorporated into various dishes over a four‑year span.
Health authorities further reported that the ants used by the restaurant "contained up to 55 times much dense metals than emblematic edible insects", a finding cited in a study linked to The Chosun Daily. South Korean regulators evaluate potential edible insects on criteria such as food‑safety risks, toxicity, nutritional value and the feasibility of hygienic breeding and processing.
In defence, the restaurant owner said that "just 60% of diners had opted to effort the ants", while the remaining patrons were offered substitutes he described as "alternatives similar fermented vinegar and edible flowers." He noted that eateries in other nations—including Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom—also employ ants as ingredients.
Court documents do not identify the restaurant or its owner. Ten venues in Seoul, each situated in South Korea’s major metropolitan area, currently hold two Michelin stars. The Michelin Guide awards up to three stars based on ingredient quality, flavor mastery, cooking technique, the chef’s personality and consistency. A two‑star rating signifies "excellent cooking" and notes that the venue is "worth a detour", according to Michelin’s own guidelines.
The court is scheduled to announce its verdict on 2 September.
Ants are consumed and sometimes regarded as a delicacy across many Asian, African and Latin American culinary traditions. Weaver ants and their eggs feature in Thai and Cambodian cuisine, while in Colombia queen ants are esteemed as a form of edible caviar.
Sincity Press Staff
4 hours ago 3 min read
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English (US)·