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Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail for ant-topped dessert

A Seoul court has been asked to sentence the anonymous owner to one year in prison for serving a non-approved insect.

Talivio News · Global 1 min read
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Elegant dessert platter with berry sorbet, sliced fruit, and chocolate on a plate, fine dining presentation. Alexandr Zhukovskyi

The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is facing a potential one-year prison sentence for serving a dessert topped with ants, according to a court request reported by Yonhap news agency on Monday.

Under South Korean law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption, including grasshoppers and brown mealworm larvae, per Yonhap. The black ants used in the dish are not among them.

Yonhap reported that a 20 million won (approximately £10,108) fine is also sought for the company that runs the restaurant. Yonhap also reported that the identities of the owner and the restaurant have not been publicly disclosed.

Marit Vandeveld

General Assignment Reporter · Talivio News

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Sources

  1. South China Morning PostOwner of Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea faces jail for ant-topped sorbet (opens in a new window)
  2. The GuardianMichelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail for serving ants in dessert (opens in a new window)
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