South Korean authorities have penalized 17 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide for food safety violations, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The violations were discovered during routine inspections conducted between 2023 and 2025, with a total of 21 infractions recorded.
Among the penalized establishments, a two-star restaurant was found to have used inedible ants in its dishes. The ministry did not disclose the name of the restaurant, but confirmed that the ingredient was not approved for human consumption under Korean food standards.
Other violations included using expired ingredients, improper storage of foods, and failure to maintain hygiene standards. The ministry has imposed fines and administrative orders, and has required the restaurants to correct their practices.
The Michelin Guide has not yet commented on the findings. The ministry stated that it will continue to conduct regular inspections of high-profile restaurants to ensure public safety.
