Chef Ahn Sung Jae Issues Formal Apology as Mosu Seoul Admits Wine Substitution Controversy

Chef Ahn Sung Jae has issued a deep apology, acknowledging the recent controversy surrounding alleged wine substitution at his fine dining restaurant Mosu Seoul, where dinner costs approximately 420,000 KRW (approx. 283 USD) per person.

Mosu Seoul, led by Chef Ahn, who also gained popularity as a judge on the Netflix show 'Culinary Class Wars,' has been under scrutiny following the incident. The restaurant is known for its high-end dining experience, with meals for two reportedly exceeding 1,000,000 KRW (approx. 674 USD) when paired with wine. Despite the steep pricing, the establishment has attracted significant attention due to Chef Ahn’s reputation and its Michelin-starred status.

The controversy began when a customer, identified as 'A,' shared their experience online. According to the post, instead of the listed “Château Léoville Barton 2000 vintage,” a 2005 vintage was served during their visit.

Customer 'A' claimed to have noticed a difference in taste and aroma, prompting them to ask staff for confirmation. A sommelier reportedly acknowledged that the wine served was indeed from the 2005 vintage and offered to provide the 2000 vintage for comparison. The customer further alleged that the staff later brought the 2000 vintage from a separate area, raising suspicions that the discrepancy may have been known from the start.

The price difference between the two vintages is said to be around 100,000 KRW. Customer A expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s hard to understand how such a mistake could happen at a Michelin two-star restaurant, but more disappointing was the response of ‘we’ll let you taste it’ rather than a proper apology.”

In response, Mosu Seoul released an official statement: “On April 19, 2026, during the wine pairing service, we failed to provide accurate information, confusing our guest. We sincerely apologize for not offering sufficient explanation during the subsequent response, which led to significant disappointment.”

The restaurant added, “We have already conveyed a separate apology to the customer, who graciously accepted it. However, considering the expectations placed on our restaurant, we acknowledge that our response was not sufficient. Chef Ahn Sung Jae and the entire Mosu team take this matter very seriously. We will thoroughly review our service procedures and take steps to prevent recurrence.”

Mosu Seoul further emphasized, “We will not stop at a superficial apology but will strive to rebuild trust with sincerity. We once again sincerely apologize to all our guests who have shown continued trust and support for Mosu Seoul.”