The Evett restaurant, located in the Gangnam district of Seoul, has become the focus of legal proceedings for serving ants in one of its desserts. The establishment, founded by Australian chef Joseph Lidgerwood and Ginny Kim, has 2 Michelin stars and is known for its tasting menu.
The issue arose because the ants used as garnish were not authorized for human consumption under South Korean legislation. Prosecutors requested up to 1 year in prison for the company representative and a fine of nearly 13 thousand dollars for the company operating the restaurant.
Between 2021 and 2025, the dessert was offered on more than 12,200 occasions and reportedly generated nearly 81 thousand dollars. Each serving included between 3 and 5 ants to add acidity. The ruling is scheduled for September 2, 2026.
