South Korean Michelin-Starred Restaurant Owner Charged Over Ant Dessert

The owner of a two‑star Michelin restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district is facing up to one year in prison and a fine after prosecutors said the establishment served ice‑cream desserts topped with dehydrated ants, a food ingredient not permitted under South Korea’s food‑safety law. The law allows only ten insect species for consumption, and ants are not on that list.

Authorities allege that about 49,000 ants were used in roughly 12,200 desserts between 2021 and 2024, generating about 120 million won in revenue. The ants were imported from the United States and Thailand. The restaurant’s defense argues the chef was unaware of the ban and that only around 60 % of customers chose the ant‑topped option. A court ruling is scheduled for 2 September.