The owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul just landed in a situation that could belong in a drama, but with serious consequences. As reported by CNN and the BBC, this restaurant owner is currently facing the possibility of a year-long jail sentence and a hefty fine because of a specific garnish used on a sherbet dessert. The ingredient in question is ants. While edible, it is unacceptable to South Korean food safety authorities.
Per the report, the issue isn’t that insects were added to the menu. South Korea has a long history with insects in its cuisine. For instance, beondegi, steamed silkworm pupae, are often sold by street vendors. The problem is the country’s strict Food Sanitation Act. The regulations only permit 10 specific insect species, such as grasshoppers, locusts, and two-spotted crickets, for consumption. Ants aren’t on the list, so it legally requires a special government authorization.
