Ants on the menu? Not in Korea. Try these 10 edible insects instead.

At a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in southern Seoul, nearly every course of the tasting menu is designed to surprise, even the palate cleanser.

Just before the main steak arrives, a scoop of sikhye (sweet rice punch) sherbet is served to cleanse the palate.  To give a special twist, the chef plucks a few pieces from what looks like a small cluster of roasted gim (seaweed) flakes and scatters them over the sherbet.

They are none other than edible ants, intended to give a bright, citrusy burst of flavor.

The special garnish has led the dish to become one of the restaurant's most talked-about creations. Served for four years, 49,000 individual ants are believed to have been served.

The seemingly innocuous intermezzo, however, has recently landed the chef in legal trouble, with prosecutors seeking a one-year prison sentence for him and a fine of 20 million won ($13,650) for the restaurant's operating company.

Ants are not approved as food ingredients under Korea's Food Sanitation Act. 

The chef, who has also appeared on Netflix's culinary show "Culinary Class Wars" (2023-), allegedly imported dried ants from the United States and Thailand beginning in 2021 and served the ant-topped dish more than 12,200 times.

While restaurants in countries such as the United States, Denmark, Britain and Australia legally serve ants, they are not among the insect species approved for human consumption in Korea.

The defense acknowledged most of the prosecution's allegations, though it argued that prosecutors had overstated the number of ants used. They said some diners declined the ingredient and that it was served to only about 60 percent of customers.

In the closing statement, the chef said he had failed to fully understand Korea's food regulations and pleaded for leniency.

Humans have eaten insects for thousands of years, including Koreans, who have long eaten insects like grasshoppers and silkworm pupae as snacks.

According to a 2024 paper published in Scientific Reports, people in 128 countries consume 2,205 insect species. Mexico tops the list with 450 edible insect species, followed by Thailand with 272 and India with 262.

In Korea, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption.

Three species were approved as edibles based on a history of traditional consumption, meaning they have long been safely eaten in Korea. They include the rice grasshopper, silkworm and white muscardine silkworm, known in Korea as baekgangjam.

If an insect does not have a history of traditional consumption, it must first receive approval as a temporarily recognized food ingredient from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. After meeting additional safety and regulatory requirements, it can later be reclassified as a general food ingredient, as has been the case for the other seven approved insects, with the migratory locust being the latest addition.

Unlike insects collected from the wild, these edible insects sold as food in Korea are commercially raised indoors under strict hygiene standards.

Here's a closer look at the 10 insect species currently approved for human consumption in Korea.

1. Rice grasshopper (Oxya japonica Thunberg)

The rice grasshopper was once commonly fried and eaten in Korea because it was abundant in fields and mountains. Among Korea's approved edible insects, it has the highest protein content, with dried rice grasshoppers consisting of about 70 percent protein.

2. Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

The canned beondegi commonly sold in Korean grocery stores and often served in paper cups with broth at street stalls is made from silkworm pupae. With more than 20 grams of protein per 100 grams, the pupae contain as much protein as many types of meat. They are also a good source of lecithin, a phospholipid that is an important component of cell membranes and nervous tissue.

3. White muscardine silkworm (Bombyx mori L. larvae infected with Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill.)

Made from silkworm larvae that have died after being infected with the white muscardine fungus, Beauveria bassiana, either naturally or through artificial inoculation, the white muscardine silkworm takes its name from the hardened, white appearance of the infected larvae. Rich in protein and minerals, it has long been used in traditional Korean medicine.

4. Mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.)

Measuring about 28 to 35 millimeters (1.10 to 1.38 inches) in length, mealworm larvae have elongated, yellowish bodies. Rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids, they are widely used as pet feed as well as for human consumption.

5. Two-spotted cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus)

The two-spotted cricket has a texture similar to that of grasshoppers and is well suited for roasting. It is rich in glutathione, an antioxidant believed to support liver function and alcohol metabolism, making it a popular choice as a drinking snack.

6. White-spotted flower chafer larvae (Protaetia brevitarsis)

Known in Korea as goombengi, the larvae of the white-spotted flower chafer were once commonly found in the straw roofs of traditional houses. Containing about 57.8 percent protein, they are also rich in niacin, which supports detoxification and blood circulation, as well as vitamin B, making them a nutritious health supplement.

7. Rhinoceros beetle larvae (Allomyrina dichotoma)

With their plump, cream-colored bodies curled into a distinctive C shape, the larvae look more like grubs than beetles. Rich in protein as well as glutamic acid, proline, magnesium, potassium and vitamins B5 and E, they provide a balanced combination of protein, fat and carbohydrates, making them a promising future food source.

8. Drone bee pupae (Apis mellifera L.)

Drone bee pupae come from male honeybees, whose primary role is to mate with the queen. Drone larvae are initially fed royal jelly before transitioning to a diet of honey and pollen, and the pupae are regarded as a highly nutritious food. They contain 18 amino acids, including all nine essential amino acids required by humans, and are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

9. Superworm larvae (Zophobas atratus)

Superworm larvae are about 1.5 times larger than common mealworms. Their high protein content, unsaturated fatty acids and favorable amino acid profile have made them an increasingly promising ingredient for both human food and animal feed.

10. Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)

Officially added to Korea's list of edible insects this June, the migratory locust, locally known as pulmuchi, is larger than the commonly eaten rice grasshopper and has a shorter breeding cycle, making it more productive to farm. Found throughout Korea, it is rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids and can be used in a wide range of products, including cookies, grain powders, chocolate and food toppings.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]