Renowned chef Joseph Lidgerwood, a recipient of two Michelin stars, is currently under legal scrutiny in South Korea for allegedly including ants in his dessert offerings at a prestigious restaurant in Seoul.

Lidgerwood, an Australian culinary artist, achieved his second Michelin star in 2025 for his restaurant Evett located in Gangham, Seoul. The upscale establishment specializes in Korean cuisine prepared using traditional wood fire cooking methods.

In addition to the controversial use of ants, Lidgerwood’s menu at Evett previously showcased a variety of unique and seasonal ingredients like golbaengi (moon snails) and haesam (sea cucumber) sourced from South Korea’s eastern coastline.

During an interview with the ABC in 2025, Lidgerwood mentioned his approach to highlighting distinct ingredients through various culinary techniques such as pickling and roasting.

Evett initially earned a Michelin star within a year of its 2018 opening, catering to Seoul’s discerning clientele. The restaurant’s subsequent second star marked a significant achievement for Lidgerwood, who had encountered challenges earlier in his culinary career.

Accusations against Lidgerwood include the importation and serving of approximately 49,000 ants to patrons since 2021, potentially leading to a one-year prison sentence if convicted. Prosecutors are also pursuing a ₩20 million fine against the restaurant’s parent company for the alleged violation of South Korea’s food safety regulations.

Authorities claim that serving ants without proper authorization breaches food safety laws in South Korea, which only permit the consumption of specific insect species like grasshoppers and locusts. The restaurant is said to have failed to obtain the necessary approvals for serving ants in their dishes.

Concerns arose after social media posts revealed the presence of ant-topped desserts, described as sorbet palate cleansers, at Evett. The restaurant management clarified that Lidgerwood had utilized “ant acidity” in his dishes based on his experiences in the US and Europe, unaware of the legal restrictions in Korea.

Despite the controversy, the restaurant reported that only a portion of diners opted for the ant-related toppings, challenging the prosecution’s claim of substantial profits from the ant dessert. Health authorities also discovered elevated levels of heavy metals in the ants used at Evett, raising health concerns associated with prolonged exposure.

While consuming ants is a cultural practice in various regions worldwide, including Australia, where indigenous communities consider them as traditional food, the legal implications in South Korea highlight the importance of adhering to food safety regulations.