700 Dollar Michelin Meal Serves Butterflies Brains Blood: When you think of a Michelin-starred meal, you probably imagine delicate foie gras, truffle-infused pasta, or maybe a perfectly seared scallop. You don’t usually picture edible butterflies, lamb brain mousse, and a chocolate coffin—but that’s exactly what one woman got when she dropped $700 (₹60,000) on a five-hour dining experience at Alchemist, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen.
Table of Contents
The internet had thoughts.
Some called it “food as performance art.” Others shuddered at the idea of live bugs on cheese or a blood-drop dessert made from pig and deer blood. But was this just shock value, or was there something deeper—something even delicious—beneath the theatrics?
Read Also: Trump’s New Tariffs Spark Global Markets
The Menu: A Wild Ride from Start to Finish
The dinner wasn’t merely dinner—it was a multi-sensory experience, broken into acts like a strange, edible play. Here’s what impressed (or dismayed):
- The Butterfly Course (Yes, Really)
One of the initial “wow” experiences was edible butterflies on nettle leaves. The server billed them as being sustainably raised, proposing bugs as a protein food of the future.
Verdict: Gorgeous? Yeah. Would I order it again? Possibly if I was lost in the woods and starving.
- Jellyfish in Herb Broth
Delicate, slightly chewy, floating in a fragrant broth. Not the weirdest thing here, but definitely not your average appetizer. - The Orwellian “Eye” Gel
In the vein of 1984, this dish was a gelatinous eyeball filled with caviar and razor clams. Creepy? Sure. Delicious? Who would have thought? - Lamb Brain Mousse served in a Human Head Bowl
This is where things got deeply disturbing. The mousse was rich, but the presentation—a ceramic human head—made it seem like a Hannibal moment.
Verdict: Flavor-wise, fine. Psychologically? Traumatizing.
- Live Bugs on Stracciatella Cheese
The dish that broke the internet. Live bugs crawling over cheese and tomato. The restaurant framed it as a commentary on sustainability, but most people just saw nightmare fuel.
Would you try it? Be honest.
- The Blood-Drop Dessert
Made from pig and deer blood, this was described as having a “metallic” taste. Paired with a chocolate coffin, it felt like a gothic fairytale gone wrong.
Was This Dinner or Performance Art?
Alchemist isn’t just serving food—it’s telling stories. Every dish had a theme:
Sustainability (insects as protein)
Social commentary (chicken feet in a cage symbolizing factory farming)
Surrealism (eyeball gel, human head bowls)
But here’s the real question: Does deep meaning make weird food taste better?
For some, absolutely. Fine dining has always pushed boundaries—molecular gastronomy, edible foam, deconstructed dishes. But when you cross into serving live bugs and blood, you’re not just challenging palates—you’re testing how far people will go for “art.”
The Bigger Debate: Is This Pretentious or Genius?
Innovation—chefs like Rasmus Munk (Alchemist’s head chef) are redefining what food can b
Experience—At $700, you’re paying for theatre, not just nutrition.
Conversation Starter – Love it or hate it, people are talking.
Shock Over Substance—Does a lamb brain mousse taste $700 better than a great burger
Accessibility—Most people will never afford this. Is it elitist?
The “Why?” Factor—Just because you can serve live bugs, should you?
Would I spend ₹60,000 on this?
Honestly? Probably not.
I appreciate creativity, but at some point, food should still be… well, enjoyable. If I’m paying that much, I’d rather leave delighted instead of disturbed.
That said, if you’re the kind of person who lives for the bizarre, maybe this is your dream meal.
Read Also: Elon Musk SpaceX investor
FAQs Regarding Alchemist’s Strange Dining Experience
- Are the butterflies actually living when served?
No, the butterflies were farm-raised and already deceased before serving. The restaurant emphasizes ethical sourcing. - Did the woman really consume live insects?
Yes—the meal came with live insects crawling across stracciatella cheese. A few diners avoided it, but those who did partake said the insects provided a crunchy texture. - What was the flavor of the blood dessert?
The diner called it “metallic,” like iron-fortified foods such as liver or black pudding. - Is this restaurant shock value only, or is the food really good?
There are mixed reviews. Some people think that the flavors are terribly intricate and well-harmonized, while others think that presentation is more valuable than flavor. - How long does the meal take?
Approximately 5 hours, with 50+ courses (all except a handful are bite-sized). It’s actually more of a culinary tour than an actual dinner. - Why on earth would anyone pay $700 for this?
For experience, narrative, and exclusivity. It’s more about subverting expectations around food than it is about feeding. - Can vegetarians or vegans dine here?
Alchemist offers vegetarian tasting menus, but vegan options are extremely limited due to the restaurant’s experimental nature. - Is this the weirdest Michelin-starred restaurant?
It’s definitely up there! Other avant-garde spots like El Bulli (Spain) and Ultraviolet (Shanghai) also push boundaries, but Alchemist leans harder into provocation.
Final Thoughts: Food or Art?
Alchemist isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a statement. Whether that statement is “This is the future of food” or “Look how weird we can be” depends on who you ask.
One thing’s for sure: Nobody’s forgetting this meal anytime soon.
Would you try it? Drop your thoughts below—would you eat a butterfly for ₹60,000?
Join Group→
