Vepřo-knedlo-bao. The Czech National Pavilion will serve Czech cuisine adapted for visitors from Asia

"The winner of the public tender for the operator of the restaurant and gift shop was the Czech company GASTRO INVEST INTERNACIONAL at the end of last year. The company has extensive experience with international projects, having operated businesses in Shanghai, Australia, Dubai, and Hungary. Moreover, its sister company ran the restaurant in the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, where it was also awarded for having the most visited sky bar of the world exhibition," says Ondrej Soska, Czech Commissioner General at EXPO 2025, adding that the restaurant operator also has a Japanese business partner.

"Top chefs from the Czech Association of Chefs and Confectioners, including both young talents and seasoned masters of their craft, will be involved in running the kitchen of the Czech National Pavilion. An interesting aspect of this project is the participation of the so-called ‘Old Guard’ — chefs whose traditions and recipes date back to the menu of the Czechoslovak Pavilion at EXPO 1970 in Osaka. The fusion of tradition and innovation will be led by chefs Tomáš Popp, Jiří Eichner, Mirek Prosa, and junior chef Štěpán Čermák," says Petr Brož, CEO of GASTRO INVEST INTERNACIONAL. He adds that the company’s main motivation for entering the public tender was to gain further experience: "With international projects, you meet many interesting people, which can be valuable for future endeavors."

Visitors to the Czech National Pavilion will have the chance to taste dishes inspired by traditional Czech cuisine. At full capacity, the operators plan to serve up to 2,000 meals and 3,000 beers daily. The menu has been carefully curated by culinary expert Tomáš Reger to showcase the diversity and quality of Czech recipes, with dumplings as the central element. Starters will include homemade Head Cheese served with onions and vinegar, as well as Rollmops, featuring the signature tangy flavor.

Among the main courses, visitors will find Vepřo-knedlo-bao – potato dumplings filled with smoked meat and red cabbage – as well as an original fusion of Czech-style roast duck with plum jam or a combination of pork with an Asian bao dumpling. Japanese visitors and other guests can also look forward to a sweet finale, including Sweet Buns with vanilla custard and Fairy Tale Buns filled with plum jam or sweet cheese.

Japanese organizers expect the World Exhibition to attract between 150,000 and 300,000 visitors per day. The Czech National Pavilion alone is estimated to welcome around 12,000 to 15,000 guests daily, including the general public, business professionals, experts from various fields, government officials, and international delegates. The offered meals must, therefore, be suitable for both takeaway and dine-in options. Given the kitchen’s capacity and the pavilion’s size, food preparation must be highly efficient. All dishes will be made using fresh ingredients.

The Czech National Pavilion will serve wines from Winery Thaya (Partner of the Czech Pavilion) and have Pilsner Urquell on tap (Main Partner of the Czech Pavilion).

"At EXPO, we always want to showcase the best our country has to offer. That’s why we are delighted that Pilsner Urquell will be part of it. This beer, which inspired the world and gave rise to the most widespread beer category —pilsner— is the result of creative spirit and the work of many talented people. This perfectly aligns with what the Czech National Pavilion in Osaka aims to present. The partnership also highlights the importance of Czech brewing craftsmanship and its global significance," says Zdeněk Kovář, Spokesman and Head of External Communications at Pilsner Urquell.

About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025
In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General announced an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. Thirty-eight studios have participated, and in March 2023 a jury of experts led by the world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design: a glass spiral by Apropos Architects. The main structure of the building will be made of modern wood panels, while the façade will feature art glass, which has a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The National Pavilion, which will be located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, will provide a prestigious setting for Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The pavilion will house a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, restaurants, a CTP lounge, and a relaxation area overlooking the sea.

About the Czech participation at EXPO 2025
This will be the sixth time that Czechia has taken part in a world exhibition as an independent state. Ondřej Soška, who won the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selection process with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been serving as Commissioner General since September 2022. Czechia aims to showcase not only what the Japanese already know and admire, such as Czech glass and classical music, but above all Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups and talent from the regions.