Chanko Nabe Sumo Wrestler Hot Pot
Japan — chanko nabe tradition developed in sumo stables; Edo period origins, Ryogoku center
Chanko nabe (ちゃんこ鍋) is the high-calorie, protein-rich hot pot eaten by sumo wrestlers in training — a meal designed for extreme caloric intake and muscle building. Traditional chanko nabe is chicken-based (a conscious choice: chickens walk on two legs, symbolizing that the wrestler stays standing — never touches the ground like a four-legged animal). The broth is rich chicken stock; the contents are miso or soy-seasoned and loaded with protein: chicken, tofu, fish cakes, eggs, and large quantities of vegetables and starch. Many retired sumo wrestlers open chanko nabe restaurants in Tokyo's Ryogoku district.