Seoul court fines Michelin-starred Evett for serving unapproved ant garnish

Key points

• Evett, a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Seoul's Gangnam district, was fined 10 million won for serving a dessert topped with ants, which are not among the 10 insect species approved for consumption in South Korea.
• Ginny Kim, the restaurant's chief executive and wife of founder Joseph Lidgerwood, was fined 15 million won; prosecutors had sought a one-year prison term for her and a 20 million won fine for the company.
• The ants were imported from the US and Thailand and served on a sorbet made with sikhye, a sweet Korean rice drink, from April 2021 to January 2025.
• Tests found heavy metals above permitted levels in the ants, which the judge cited as a factor making the offense 'by no means light.'
• The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched an investigation after seeing mentions of the ant dishes in blog posts and social media.
• Both sides have seven days to appeal the ruling.

Background

This case follows a broader trend of food safety enforcement in South Korea, where only 10 insect species are approved as food ingredients. The restaurant's use of ants, which are common in cuisines in the US, Europe, and parts of Asia, highlights a gap in awareness of local regulations. The case also coincides with a special inspection of 1,720 popular restaurants by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in June 2026, following 21 food safety violations by 17 Michelin Guide-listed restaurants in Korea from 2023 to 2025.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and BBC report similar details, but the BBC emphasizes the owner's argument that ants were used in a 'small part' of the menu and that diners could opt for a non-ant alternative. The Korea Herald provides additional context on broader food safety enforcement, noting that 17 Michelin Guide-listed restaurants in Korea were cited for food safety violations 21 times from 2023 to 2025. CNN's coverage is obscured by technical code, but its headline suggests the owner avoided jail time, aligning with the court's decision to impose fines rather than imprisonment.

Why it matters

The case underscores the strict enforcement of food safety regulations in South Korea, even for high-profile establishments. It also highlights the risks of using ingredients that are common in other countries but unapproved locally. The heavy metal contamination in the ants adds a public health dimension, potentially affecting consumer trust in the restaurant's overall safety standards.

What to watch

Both the prosecution and the defense have seven days to appeal the ruling. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is conducting administrative action against 45 restaurants found in violation during a special inspection in June 2026. Evett has stated it no longer uses ants, but the case may prompt further scrutiny of ingredient sourcing and labeling in high-end restaurants.