South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence for the owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Seoul accused of serving desserts topped with black ants, an ingredient not approved for human consumption under the country’s food safety regulations.
The Seoul Western District Court heard the case on Monday. Prosecutors allege the restaurant operator violated the Food Sanitation Act by importing dried ants from the United States and Thailand and using them as a garnish over a four-year period.
They are also seeking a 20 million won (about $13,500) fine against the company that operates the restaurant.
The case centres on a palate-cleansing sorbet topped with three to five black ants. Prosecutors said the dessert was sold more than 12,200 times, generating approximately 120 million won (about $81,000) in revenue.
Authorities estimate that nearly 49,000 ants were served to customers during the period under investigation.
Under South Korean law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption, including grasshoppers and mealworm larvae. Ants are not among the permitted species.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the investigation began after officials discovered photographs and descriptions of the dish on blogs and social media rather than during a routine inspection.
The ministry also said laboratory tests found the ants contained heavy metal concentrations significantly higher than those typically found in approved edible insects.
The restaurant owner admitted to most of the allegations but disputed prosecutors’ estimate of the number of ants served, arguing that the garnish was offered only to customers who agreed to try it.
The defence also maintained that the ants formed only a small part of a 15-course tasting menu and noted that restaurants in countries such as Denmark, Britain and Australia also use ants in fine dining.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on September 2.