business
His restaurant put edible ants on the menu. Now he could face one year in prison
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 23, 2026
· 3 min read
By Gawon Bae, Yoonjung Seo, Chris Lau, CNN Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — The owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is facing hefty fines and up to a year’s jail time for garnishing a sherbet dessert with ants. The problem isn’t that insects appeared on the menu. Rather, the issue...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway They told CNN that the eatery in question has been serving dried ants brought in from the US and Thailand since 2021.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The case of a South Korean restaurant owner facing prison time for serving edible ants has implications for El Paso's own food scene. As the city continues to grow and diversify, its restaurants are increasingly incorporating unique and exotic ingredients into their dishes. While El Paso's culinary landscape is distinct from South Korea's, the issue of food regulation and safety is a common concern. Local health inspectors and regulators will be watching this case closely, as it highlights the importance of understanding and complying with food laws. El Paso's own entrepreneurs and chefs may take note of the nuances of food regulation, particularly when it comes to unconventional ingredients like insects, which are gaining popularity worldwide. As the city's food culture evolves, it will be interesting to see how local restaurants and authorities navigate these complex issues.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Gawon Bae, Yoonjung Seo, Chris Lau, CNN Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — The owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is facing hefty fines and up to a year’s jail time for garnishing a sherbet dessert with ants. The problem isn’t that insects appeared on the menu. Rather, the issue...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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