A wine-switching incident at Michelin three-star fine-dining restaurant Mosu, run by chef Ahn Sung-jae, has prompted renewed attention to past controversies involving sommeliers and high-end restaurants in South Korea’s fine-dining scene.
In recent days, online communities and social media have circulated a post criticizing what it called ongoing ethical lapses by sommeliers, while listing earlier cases involving wine service and alleged misconduct.
The post cited a case at two-star Kwon Sooksoo, saying a sommelier was found guilty in a first trial and fined 7 million won for allegedly stealing 106 bottles of wine from the restaurant. It said the incident surfaced after the person left the job, claiming they were opening their own wine bar.
It also alleged that at Vampire Weekend, a sommelier drank customers’ expensive corkage wines out of sight, posted about it on social media and was caught, after which the business changed its name.
The post further claimed that at two-star Jungsik, a sommelier poured about 100 milliliters from a customer’s corkage wine worth about 900,000 won, saying it was “to taste later.” It added that Mosu — described as previously three-star and currently two-star — was exposed for deceiving customers.
The writer said it was “embarrassing” that allegations about Seoul fine dining were being revealed at a time when Korean food is drawing global attention, and questioned whether the Mosu case could lead to change.
Commenters said the incidents showed that basic trust was not being upheld even at upscale restaurants. Some compared it to delivery workers skimming food, while others said the controversy would fuel ridicule that harms professionals who take pride in their work.
Separately, Mosu’s Kakao Map page drew a wave of hostile comments. Reviews included remarks urging the restaurant to change its name, accusations that YouTube comments were being deleted, and criticism of the alleged wine switching.
One commenter wrote that the issue could have ended quickly with a proper apology video or penalties for the sommelier, and expressed frustration that it was being dragged out.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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