[Herald Economy = Reporter Jang Yeon-ju] A viral post claims that an expensive vintage wine was swapped at Mosu Seoul — the fine-dining restaurant run by celebrity chef Ahn Seong-jae — and the allegation has ignited online controversy.On the 21st, a post titled “I was given a swapped wine vintage at Mosu Seoul” appeared on a Naver community forum.
The author, who goes by A, said that during the wine-pairing portion of a recent meal the restaurant served a different vintage than the one ordered.
A, who dined with friends on the evening of the 18th, says the party had ordered a 2000 vintage Château Léoville Barton — listed at about 800,000 won (approximately $600) — to pair with a premium Korean beef course. Instead, the sommelier allegedly brought a 2005 vintage that was about 100,000 won (around $75) cheaper.
A also claims the sommelier acted as if the 2000 had been served, despite initially presenting the 2005 bottle.
“We visited for a birthday and ordered Château Léoville Barton,” A wrote. “The sommelier brought a 2005 bottle, even though the wine list showed the 2000 vintage.”
Noting that the taste and aroma didn’t match their past experience, A asked the staff to verify the vintage.
When A requested confirmation, the sommelier reportedly changed his explanation, saying, “A 2000 bottle was on the first floor,” according to A.
A says that only after the table asked to photograph the served bottle did the sommelier bring out and set down a 2000 vintage, which raised doubts that the wrong wine had been served intentionally.
According to A, the price gap between the two vintages was about 100,000 won (≈$75).
In the end, A says the cheaper 2005 vintage was served in place of the ordered 2000, and that the sommelier appeared to try to let the situation pass without offering an apology.
A expressed disappointment not only that this happened at a Michelin two-star restaurant, but also that the staff’s response — offering merely to “let us taste it” without a formal apology — felt insufficient.
Netizens reacted with comments such as, “If they realized the mistake, they should apologize first,” “Mosu’s dinner costs 420,000 won (≈$315) per person — not worth it,” and “I’m disappointed in Chef Ahn Seong-jae.”
Mosu has not issued a separate statement on the matter.
