DistantNews
Support us
South Korean restaurant owner faces jail for ant sorbet
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Culture & Society

South Korean restaurant owner faces jail for ant sorbet

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A South Korean Michelin-starred restaurant owner faces a one-year jail term for using black ants as a garnish on sorbet.
  • Prosecutors allege the restaurant violated food safety regulations by using imported ants not approved for consumption.
  • The owner apologized, citing a failure to fully understand regulations, with the court expected to rule in September.

The owner of a South Korean Michelin-starred restaurant is facing a potential one-year jail sentence for garnishing a palate-cleansing sorbet with black ants, a move intended to add a sour taste, local media reported.

to add a sour taste

— Local mediaDescribing the restaurant owner's intention for using black ants as a garnish.

Seoul prosecutors requested the prison term at a Monday court hearing for violating food safety regulations. Under South Korean law, only 10 specific insect species are approved for human consumption. The restaurant, which holds two Michelin stars, is accused of serving forbidden insects imported from Thailand and the United States.

three to five

— Food ministry statementDetailing the number of ants allegedly used per dessert.

Authorities launched an investigation last year after claiming the chef topped icy desserts with "three to five" ants. The restaurant reportedly made approximately 12,000 sales, totaling 120 million won (about $81,000), over nearly four years until January 2025. An evidence photograph released by the ministry showed a can labeled "Cuisine Black Ants."

Cuisine Black Ants

— Evidence photographLabel on a can of ants presented as evidence.

In addition to the prison term, prosecutors are seeking a 20 million won fine. The defense argued that the ant-topped confections were served only to customers who had given prior consent. The owner reportedly apologized in court, stating, "I apologize for this incident, which arose from my failure to fully understand the relevant regulations." The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling in early September.

I apologise for this incident, which arose from my failure to fully understand the relevant regulations.

— The defendantThe owner's statement in his closing argument.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog