South Africans get the bug: Cape Town diner serves insect-only dishes

A bowl of Mopane worms stands on the counter for customers to try at the Insect Experience Restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa. Reuters.

South African chef Mario Barnard said he was “grossed out” and did not entirely enjoy eating grilled scorpions and crunchy insects mixed with garlic and spices on a trip to Thailand four years ago.

But the experience inspired Barnard to start experimenting with insect-based meals and in July he opened a pop-up restaurant in Cape Town’s trendy Woodstock suburb that only serves bug meals.