Several Korean & Chinese Eateries in S’pore Found Selling Silkworm Pupae Illegally

Eating insects as a delicacy is common in our neighbouring countries, but most certainly not here.

Did you know that importing and selling creepy crawlies as food is actually illegal in Singapore?

However, some restaurants serving Chinese and Korean cuisine have taken their meat dishes to the next level by introducing silkworm pupae.

It sounds like a lot to stomach, but read on to see how these insects are served.

Silkworm Pupae Served in Secret

CNA had found that several establishments were serving such dishes. The silkworm pupae were either grilled, fried or added to soups.

A Chinese restaurant located at Jalan Besar named Chuan Chuan Le recently introduced more variety in its speciality, skewers, on its Facebook page last month. The new dishes were stir-fried silkworms and grilled silkworms.

When CNA visited the establishment on Thursday (23 March), the new items were not listed on its menu but were confirmed to be sold at the eatery by employees.

According to an employee, the stir-fried silkworms were “mixed with chilli and other spices,” which makes it sound strangely delectable.

A skewer of grilled silkworms costs $2, while the stir-fried silkworms cost $16.

Tang Men Chuan Chuan, another grilled skewers restaurant located in Orchard Plaza, also offers silkworms on its menu, and its dish of chilli-fried silkworms ($28.80) is even available on food delivery platforms.

Korean restaurants Badam at Tanjong Pagar and Oven and Fried Chicken at Bukit Timah were also found to sell silkworms at some point, according to reviews found online by CNA.

However, CNA received little comment from both establishments in response to their queries regarding the silkworms.

Another Chinese restaurant in Midview City named Ode to Joy Dining started selling grilled silkworm skewers and stir-fried silkworms on 8 March, which cost $5 and $19.80 respectively.

For this establishment, the silkworm dishes are actually listed on its menu.

Employees from Ode to Joy Dining and Chuan Chuan Le highlighted the popularity of the silkworm dishes once they started selling.

However, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has confirmed with CNA that selling silkworm pupae and other insects for consumption is currently illegal.

Should anyone come across “illegal sales of insects or insect products for food”, they need to report this to SFA via their online feedback form.

Should Insects Finally Be Sold for Consumption?

From October to December last year, SFA conducted a public consultation to gather opinions from the public and the food and animal feed industry on regulating insects for consumption.

On 16 October 2022, SFA said they may allow “specific species of insects with a history of human consumption” to be served as food after “thorough scientific review.”

These insect species include silkworms, grasshoppers, beetles, honey bees and mealworms.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has actively promoted the commercial farming of insects for human and animal consumption in recent years.

According to SFA, companies that want to import or farm insects for human consumption or animal feed must meet specific food safety requirements.

The imported insects must be reared in “regulated establishments with food safety controls.” Pathogens or harmful contaminants are strictly prohibited for use in farming or feeding the insects.

Companies with no history of rearing insects for human consumption must run and submit safety checks to SFA before selling their products.