South Korean authorities are probing a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul’s upscale Gangnam district for using ants as a dessert topping. The restaurant owner, unnamed, acknowledged including ants as part of the 15-course menu but clarified that it was optional and customers could request ant-free versions.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety uncovered evidence of the ant-topped dishes through social media posts and reviews. Only 10 types of insects are approved for consumption in South Korea, including grasshoppers and mealworms.
The restaurant allegedly imported dried ants from the United States and Thailand over five years, using nearly 50,000 ants in total. Prosecutors claim the ant-topped desserts were served approximately 12,200 times, earning around £60,647. However, the restaurant disputes this, stating that only 60% of clients opted for the ant sprinkling.
Prosecutors are pushing for a one-year jail term for the owner and a £10,108 fine for the company. The defence argued that only a few dishes included ants and cited other countries where ants are a common ingredient. The chef justified using ants for acidity in desserts, mentioning its prevalence in his past European and American workplaces. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on September 2.
