South Korean prosecutors requested a one-year prison sentence and a 20 million won ($13,510) fine for the owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Seoul for serving ants as a dessert garnish from 2021 to early 2025 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The ants, imported dried from the United States and Thailand, were mostly used to top sorbets within a 15-course tasting menu [1, 2, 5, 4, 6].
Under South Korean food safety law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption, including grasshoppers, locusts and mealworms; ants are not permitted [1, 2, 3, 4, 6]. Lab testing revealed the ants contained heavy metal concentrations up to 55 times higher than those typically found in legal edible insects [1, 7].
Prosecutors estimate the restaurant served around 49,000 ants over about four years, though the owner disputed the figure, saying only about 60% of diners accepted the ant topping and alternatives like edible flowers or fermented vinegar were offered [2, 5, 6, 7]. The owner also apologized, saying he had failed to fully understand the relevant regulations and claimed ignorance of the illegality, noting ants are served in fine dining in other countries such as Australia, Denmark, and the UK [1, 2, 4, 6].
The investigation began after South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found social media posts and online reviews featuring the ant dishes, rather than from routine inspections [1, 2, 6]. Prosecutors calculated the ant-topped desserts were sold around 12,200 times, generating about 120 million won (~$81,000) in revenue [2, 4, 6].
At a court hearing on July 20, prosecutors formally made their sentencing and fine requests [1, 2, 3, 4]. The verdict is scheduled for September 2, 2026 [1, 2, 4, 6].
