The Winners of KARA OF THE YEAR 2025 Have Been Announced!

The Exciting Announcement of KARA OF THE YEAR 2025

The moment has finally arrived for spicy food enthusiasts across Japan! The KARA OF THE YEAR 2025, an event aimed at celebrating the deliciousness of spicy cuisine, has officially announced its winners. This awards program, spearheaded by KARAMETER Inc. under CEO Kan Eguchi, focuses entirely on the realm of deliciously spicy and intensely hot dishes. The main aim of this award is to promote the richness and enjoyment of spicy dishes in Japan while boosting the industry.

About KARA OF THE YEAR

KARA OF THE YEAR is Japan's one and only food award dedicated to spicy cuisine. Initially launched to honor users of the KARAMETER app, the award's significance has grown immensely. For 2024, a new category was introduced for food manufacturers, rewarding outstanding spicy products. This year marks the first time the awards have focused solely on restaurants, specifically those located in Shinjuku—the epicenter of Japan's spicy food scene—with 18 establishments and 21 dishes entering the competition.

In total, there were 547 real votes cast by the app users, indicating an enthusiastic turnout for the event. The judging process emphasized the balance between spiciness and flavor, rewarding dishes that are delightfully spicy yet remain tasty.

Highlights of the Award Winners

Grand Prize:頂天石焼麻婆豆腐 by 陳家私菜 Shinjuku

- Distance from KARA OF THE YEAR venue: 3.30 KM

The standout dish, 頂天石焼麻婆豆腐 (Chotei's Stone-Baked Mapo Tofu), was praised for its innovative evolution. Featuring premium flower pepper, a perfectly aged broad bean sauce, and 25 types of spices, alongside luxuriant chicken and silky tofu, this dish has captivated judges and foodies alike with its aromatic earthiness. It garnered the highest vote count, affirming its balance of flavor and spice. Chef Poyang Chen expressed immense joy at receiving the Grand Prize, emphasizing the efforts made to blend taste and complexity in every dish.

Gold Prize:元祖陳麻飯 by 陳麻家 Takadanobaba

- Distance from KARA OF THE YEAR venue: 2.68 KM

The 元祖陳麻飯 utilizes authentic Chinese flower pepper and a unique blend of spices, creating a delightful explosion of flavors with rich heat and comforting sweetness. Chef Ken Iwabuchi shared his pride in their traditional recipe, passed down through generations, ensuring that the dish delivered an authentic experience to every customer.

Silver Prize:柚子辛紅らーめん by AFURI Shinjuku Subnade

- Distance from KARA OF THE YEAR venue: 2.72 KM

Uniquely crafted, 柚子辛紅らーめん blends various chilies and spices with AFURI's signature chicken broth, topped with a refreshing hint of yuzu. Store Manager Masayuki Horiuchi expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing their success to loyal customers who appreciate their innovative spicy ramen options.

Bronze Prize:たまごとチーズの四川スープカレー激辛春雨入り by spice&smile

- Distance from KARA OF THE YEAR venue: 2.62 KM

A delightful marriage of flavors, this curry pairs homemade soup with Sichuan spices, featuring layers of spiciness from garlic and pepper. Chef Mao Kurokawa noted that receiving the Bronze Prize was a remarkable achievement, showcasing their ongoing commitment to evolving their dishes.

Special Judge Awards

In addition to the main prizes, users participated in a judging event where several notable individuals were recognized:

- 辛ジャッジ王 (King of Spicy Judges): 紫.さん, who tasted 10 dishes across 11 visits.
- 準最多辛ジャッジ王 (Runner-Up King): からすきさん, who provided detailed insights on various dishes.
- ベストコメント王 (Best Comment Award): 辛じぇんぬ🌶️, known for their irresistibly descriptive reviews of dishes.

Final Thoughts

Gold Medalist Kim Seung-hee and KARAMETER’s CEO Kan Eguchi extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in celebrating Japan's vibrant spicy cuisine scene. With enthusiasm in the air, it is evident that KARA OF THE YEAR will continue to elevate the spicy dining experience in the years to come. As the popularity of spicy dishes grows, so too does the commitment to fostering creativity and excellence within the industry. We invite all spicy food lovers to explore these award-winning establishments and find their next favorite dish!

About KARAMETER

KARAMETER is a groundbreaking app and website that connects users with their perfect level of spiciness. With a user-friendly interface, the app has become a haven for spice lovers, boasting over 100,000 downloads and attracting 550,000 monthly visits.

Join the spicy revolution today!