Restaurant served ants, owner could go to jail. He had a Michelin star.

The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is facing a potential one-year prison sentence for serving sorbet containing dried ants. The restaurant, which had earned a prestigious culinary award, imported dried ants from the United States and Thailand to use as an ingredient in its desserts.

Prosecutors allege that the restaurant imported these ants starting in 2021 and served them in dishes for approximately four years. During this period, the ant-infused dessert was sold around 12,200 times, generating revenue exceeding 120 million won (approximately $86,000 USD). Prosecutors estimate that about 49,000 ants were used in total.

The defense attorney for the owner contested the prosecution's figures, arguing that only about 60% of customers accepted the ant additive, suggesting the revenue estimates were inflated. The lawyer also pointed out that ants are used as an ingredient in restaurants in countries like Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The defense claimed the chef had prior experience using dried ants for flavoring in the US and Europe and was unaware of the regulations in South Korea.

Under South Korean law, only ten specific insect species, including grasshoppers and silkworms, are permitted for use as food ingredients. Ants are not included on this list. Companies wishing to use insects not on the approved list must obtain prior consent from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Violating these regulations can result in a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won (approximately $36,000 USD).