The "KARA-1 Expo Grand Prix," which decides the hottest gourmet food in Japan, was held on November 17, 2024, at Kyoto Mukomachi Bicycle Racing Track (Terado-cho, Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture). In honor of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, super spicy food from around the world was served, and over 10,000 visitors (according to the organizers) enjoyed the "hot and delicious" food.

People enjoying super spicy food (Teradocho, Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Mukomachi Bicycle Racing Stadium)

The event was organized by the Kyoto Muko City Super Spicy Shopping Street in Muko City, which is working to revitalize the area by using super spicy food as a starting point. It was held as a certified project by the Osaka-Kansai Expo Kyoto Promotion Committee.

Members of the stores that won prizes in visitor voting, which was held for the first time in five years, received awards and trophies.

Just like an expo lined with pavilions from around the world, 16 super spicy food restaurants from six countries, including a "China representative" selling mapo tofu and a "India representative" selling curry, and eight local gourmet restaurants were lined up inside the bicycle racing track bank. At lunchtime, parents and children formed long lines and enjoyed dishes made with habanero sauce and Japanese pepper. Local singers performed live jazz on the special stage.

This year, for the first time in five years since the COVID-19 outbreak, the grand prix format was revived, with visitors voting to decide the winner. Menya Marucho, which participated for the first time from Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, took first place. The top five winners will be able to showcase their super spicy dishes at the Kyoto Muko City Shopping Arcade booth at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.