the meal
Chanko-nabe: why sumo wrestlers eat hot pot
The stew behind the all-you-can-eat table, according to Wikipedia and Kyoto Sumo Club.
Reserve your seats for the sumo show ↗Chanko-nabe in four lines
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | A one-pot stew eaten by wrestlers in huge quantities |
| Base | Dashi or chicken broth with sake or mirin |
| At tournaments | Made only with chicken |
| On your table | The signature dish of the all-you-can-eat meal |
What it is
Chanko-nabe, also called chanko, is a stew cooked in one pot and eaten in vast quantities by sumo wrestlers trying to gain weight.
What goes in
The base is dashi or chicken broth with sake or mirin. There is no fixed recipe, and the bulk is protein such as chicken, fish balls or tofu, with vegetables like daikon and bok choy.
The chicken rule
Chanko-nabe served during tournaments is made only with chicken, because a wrestler should always be on two legs, not on all fours.
How it began
Wikipedia says the Dewanoumi stable swapped individual meals for communal hot pots around 1903, for kitchen efficiency and to help wrestlers gain weight, and the habit spread.
On the table in Kyoto
Chanko-nabe is the signature dish of the all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink meal, with a wide range of other dishes beside it.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available as a limited menu, if you ask at least 2 days ahead.