# Michelin restaurant fined for serving ants in Seoul

> Evett faced prosecution after topping desserts with insects not approved under South Korean food safety law.
- Title: Michelin restaurant fined for serving ants in Seoul | Shortify
- Summary: Evett faced prosecution after topping desserts with insects not approved under South Korean food safety law. In South Korea, only 10 insect species are…
- Keywords: evett, seoul, south korea, michelin star, gangnam, joseph lidgerwood, ginny kim, food safety, insects, ants, restaurant fine, culinary class wars
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/16/michelin-starred-seoul-restaurant-evett-fined-dessert-ants
- Published: 2026-09-16T09:09:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: evett, seoul, south korea, michelin star, gangnam, joseph lidgerwood, ginny kim, food safety, insects, ants, restaurant fine, culinary class wars
## Two Michelin stars, one illegal topping
Evett, a celebrated Seoul restaurant, was fined for serving dessert topped with ants. The insects aren't approved for consumption under local law.
## Heavy fines but no jail time
The restaurant operator was fined 10 million won and CEO Ginny Kim 15 million won. Prosecutors had sought a one-year prison term.
## Heavy metals found in the ants
The judge cited the offense's seriousness, noting tests found heavy metals above permitted levels. The restaurant imported dried ants from the US and Thailand.

> the offence was by no means light
## Only 10 insects are legal
South Korea approves just 10 insect species as food ingredients, including grasshoppers and mealworms. Evett didn't seek required approval for ants.
## Nearly 50,000 ants served
From April 2021 to January 2025, the restaurant served three to five ants atop sikhye sorbet. Prosecutors estimated 49,096 ants were used.
## Chef Lidgerwood not charged
Australian chef Joseph Lidgerwood founded Evett and is its public face, but wasn't charged. Legal duties fall on the registered business operator.
## Key takeaway

In South Korea, only 10 insect species are approved as food ingredients, and restaurants must obtain special approval to use any others.