# Seoul Michelin chef faces prison over illegal ant garnish > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-ant-garnish-case > Updated: 2026-08-01T08:05:10.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 5. South Korean prosecutors have formally charged the owner of a two‑star Michelin restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district for violating the Food Safety Act by using dried black ants imported from the United States and Thailand as an optional garnish on sorbet desserts. Laboratory analysis found heavy‑metal concentrations far above legal limits, and the ants are not among the ten insect species permitted for human consumption in South Korea. The case entered the public eye after the venue was featured on a Netflix program; diners posted photographs of the ant‑topped desserts online, prompting food‑safety inspectors to investigate. Authorities confirmed that roughly 12,200 dessert portions were served with the garnish, using an estimated 40,000 ants and generating about 120 million won (≈ $80,000) in revenue. The chef, an Australian national, acknowledges using the ants but disputes the figures, noting that about 60 % of customers chose the garnish and that it was a minor menu element. Under South Korean law, businesses must obtain temporary approval to use any insect not on the approved list, a step the restaurant did not take. A criminal case opened on 24 July 2026 seeks a one‑year prison term and a fine of 20 million won. A court hearing is scheduled for 2 September 2026, where prosecutors will request the sentence and fine. A verdict is expected shortly thereafter. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-01: South Korean Michelin-Starred Restaurant Owner Charged Over Ant Dessert The owner of a Seoul Michelin‑starred restaurant faces jail and a fine for serving ant‑topped desserts, violating South Korea’s food‑safety law; prosecutors cite 49,000 ants used in 12,200 desserts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-michelin-starred-restaurant-owner-charged-over-ant-dessert ### 2026-07-29: South Korean Michelin-starred chef faces jail over illegal ant dessert Prosecutors in South Korea seek a year in jail and a 20 M‑won fine for a Michelin‑starred chef who used illegal ant desserts, alleging thousands of dishes served without proper approval. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-michelin-starred-chef-faces-jail-over-illegal-ant-dessert ### 2026-07-24: South Korean Michelin-Starred Restaurant Faces Prison Over Illegal Ant Dessert A two‑Michelin‑starred Seoul restaurant faces up to one year in prison and a fine for serving illegal black‑ant sorbet, after authorities found heavy‑metal contamination and violations of insect‑consumption law 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-michelin-starred-chef-faces-prison-over-illegal-ant-dessert ### 2026-07-22: Seoul Michelin‑starred restaurant owner faces jail over illegal ant garnish A Seoul two‑Michelin‑star restaurant is accused of serving illegal ant garnish, facing up to a year in jail and a 20 million‑won fine; verdict due in September. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-michelin-starred-chef-faces-prison-over-ant-garnish ### 2026-07-20: South Korean Michelin-starred restaurant owner faces jail for serving illegal ant garnish South Korean prosecutors seek a one‑year jail term and a 20 million‑won fine for a Michelin‑starred chef who served ants—an unapproved ingredient—in dessert garnishes; verdict set for 2 Sept. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-michelin-starred-chef-charged-over-ant-garnish --- Cite as: Seoul Michelin chef faces prison over illegal ant garnish. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-ant-garnish-case