Mala Grand Prix <Mala Tang> 2026 Winners Announced! 'Chukabo Mala Tang' and 'Haidilao Mala Tang Base' Take the Crown!

The Sichuan Festival Executive Committee (Delicious Sichuan, Mala Federation, Tokiiro Inc., and Basho Kenkyujo Inc.) hosted the '5th Mala Grand Prix 2026 Mala Tang Edition' and announced the results at the Sichuan Festival 2026 venue on May 9th. The Pinnacle of Mala Tang is Decided! This year marks the 5th iteration of the Mala Grand Prix. Focusing entirely on 'Mala Tang'—the protagonist of the 'Second Mala Boom' that has been spreading across Japan mainly among young people and women since around autumn 2024—the event saw entries of 33 products from 25 companies nationwide. All products were prepared exactly according to their instructions and taste-tested. After long hours of judging, this year's Mala Grand Prix winners were decided as follows: Mala Grand Prix 2026 [Cup Noodle] ISDG Co., Ltd.: Chukabo Mala Tang An impactful mala flavor that brings the street corners of Sichuan to mind the moment you taste it. Moreover, it is amazing that it can be easily purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets. It is a product that has truly accelerated the 'democratization of mala'. Safe to pour hot water into with its lid, taking only 2 minutes to complete. It is a wonderful product combining convenience and authenticity! [Soup Base] Yihai Japan Co., Ltd.: Sichuan-style Mala Tang Base A dish that made the judges groan 'this is the only one' the moment they tasted it. The pure taste of Haidilao Hot Pot becomes an easy-to-eat Mala Tang by diluting it with milk or soy milk. Even if served as is for commercial use in restaurants, satisfaction is guaranteed. It is truly the 'perfected form of a Mala Tang base'. Runner-up [Kit] Yihai Japan Co., Ltd.: Tomato Mala Tang Cooking Kit The most popular No.1 soup of Haidilao Hot Pot, the most eaten in the world—tomato flavor. Therefore, the taste is guaranteed. And this kit is truly revolutionary. Chunky vegetables are vacuum-packed at room temperature, completing in just 2 minutes. A new form of Mala Tang, a true innovation. Products Picked by the Judges From bottom left: Sichuan-born YouTuber Yanchan, Mala Tang enthusiast Aichi, Tokyo Spice Boss Shankar Noguchi. Top left: Sichuan province-certified Sichuan cuisine expert Masamichi Nakagawa, Mala Federation Secretary-General Kazuhiro Kikuchi. During the taste-testing, the judges specifically highlighted the following products as particularly delicious: [Hot Pot Base] Fujisho Co., Ltd.: White Mala Tang Style Hot Pot Soup An impressive white-themed design makes you want to pick it up. The transition from the mild initial spiciness to the lingering heat in the latter half is pleasant, and the harmony of soy milk richness and Sichuan peppercorn aroma is excellent. — Tokyo Spice Boss Shankar Noguchi [Cup Noodle] ISDG Co., Ltd.: Chukabo Mala Tang Yellow Tomato Flavor From the moment you open it, the sweet and sour aroma of tomatoes spreads out! With a gentle mouthfeel where the mala and sourness are not too strong, it leaves a lingering deliciousness. It will surely bring surprise and encounters even to Mala Tang experts who say 'I've eaten around quite a bit!'. — Mala Tang enthusiast Aichi [Glass Noodle Kit] House Foods: 'Bimi Kowann' In terms of genre, it's a Japanese-style Mala Tang. The herbal aroma is just right, the Chinese spices are effective, and it can be eaten refreshingly with good balance. Adding vegetables makes it quite satisfying. Also, the cute packaging makes it easy to pick up. — Sichuan province-certified Sichuan cuisine expert Masamichi Nakagawa [Bottle] HotPot Chai: Mala Tang Base (Bottle) An exquisite balance of the aroma of authentic Mala Tang spices and the deep umami of sesame sauce! A taste that both Japanese-style and Chinese-style Mala Tang lovers will get hooked on. Being a convenient bottled paste, you can use as much as you like, and storage is super convenient! — Sichuan-born YouTuber Yanchan [Frozen] Itoham Yonekyu Holdings Inc.: Mala Tang The unanimous opinion of the judges was that this was the most delicious among frozen items! Everything from the soup to the ingredients is included, and it can be eaten just by microwaving. Beginners to Mala Tang can enjoy it, and experts will find high satisfaction by adding more heat. — All Judges About the Mala Grand Prix The Mala Grand Prix is a festival that gathers mala products sold in Japan, where experts taste all of them to decide the grand prix of the year. From the 1st event in 2021 to this 5th edition, a cumulative total of over 80 companies and 255 products have been entered. Products are prepared according to instructions and evaluated through actual tasting. Aiming for 'the authentic taste of mala to penetrate Japan and be conveyed correctly,' we have been discovering and introducing wonderful, yet unknown products to Sichuan cuisine and mala fans. This year's theme is 'Mala Tang', which has become hugely popular in Japan right now. Born in Sichuan, evolving mildly in Northeast China, passing through South Korea, and breaking out in Japan since autumn 2024. We determined the pinnacle product of the Second Mala Boom, spreading primarily among young people and women, from 33 products by 25 companies. Official Website: https://meiweisichuan.jp/malagp2026 About Sichuan Festival 2026 The Sichuan Festival started in 2017 to promote Sichuan cuisine. The Mala Grand Prix was launched as a spin-off project in 2021. Through the Mala Grand Prix, we operate with the desire to discover wonderful products not yet known to the world and deliver them to many Sichuan cuisine fans. And this year's Sichuan Festival 2026 was the most exciting ever, with approximately 70,000 visitors over two days. We sincerely thank the many people who visited. Along with the Mala Grand Prix, it became a milestone event where Sichuan cuisine and mala culture spread even further. We will continue to liven up the entire industry through activities promoting Sichuan cuisine. If you have thoughts like 'I want to get excited about mala together!' or 'I want to do something interesting!', please feel free to contact us! Sichuan Festival Executive Committee Chairman: Masamichi Nakagawa