Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant fined for using ants as garnish

The owner of Evett, a two‑Michelin‑starred restaurant in Seoul, was fined 15 million won (about £8,144 or $10,965) after prosecutors charged him with violating South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act by using ants as a garnish on dessert sorbets. The court also imposed a 10 million‑won fine on the company that operates the venue. Although prosecutors had asked for a one‑year prison term and a 20 million‑won penalty, the judge took into account the owner’s admission of guilt and his clean criminal record, opting for a monetary sanction instead. The ruling noted that the ants contained heavy‑metal levels above legal limits, underscoring the seriousness of the breach.

The violation stemmed from the restaurant’s practice of sprinkling three to five imported ants—mostly from the United States and some from Thailand—onto certain dishes to impart a sour flavor, a method that continued for nearly four years and involved roughly 49,000 insects. South Korean law permits only ten insect species for human consumption, such as grasshoppers, locusts and specific silkworms; ants are not on that list. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety discovered the practice after online reviews and photographs highlighted the garnish, prompting an investigation that revealed the non‑approved use of ants despite their culinary acceptance in other regions. The owner claimed the ants were used only in a small portion of the restaurant’s 15‑course menu and that patrons could choose a non‑ant alternative.

The case highlights the tension between global culinary trends and local food‑safety regulations, especially for high‑profile establishments. While ants are considered delicacies in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, South Korea’s strict list of edible insects left Evett’s innovative garnish illegal. The fine and the public scrutiny may prompt other upscale chefs to reassess unconventional ingredients, ensuring compliance with national standards. The incident also serves as a reminder that even celebrated venues must adhere to domestic food‑safety laws, and it could influence future policy discussions on expanding the approved insect list to reflect evolving gastronomic practices.

⚡ Effects Interpreter