This hot pot dish, favored by Japanese sumo wrestlers, is simple to make at home.


Chanko Nabe Recipe: How to Make Sumo Wrestler Hot Pot

*Chanko nabe* is a type of *nabemono* (Japanese hot pot dish) traditionally served in sumo stables, the houses where sumo wrestlers live, train, and eat together in Japan. The word *chanko* is a compound of the words *chan* (parent) and *ko* (child), which references the sumo wrestler coaches and trainers sharing meals. The ingredients for *chanko nabe* vary based on seasonality and availability, but the dish often features chicken, which is a lucky animal in sumo wrestling—chickens keep two legs on the ground; sumo wrestlers lose a match if all four limbs hit the floor. *Chanko nabe* restaurants, the first of which opened in Tokyo in 1937, are typically operated by retired sumo wrestlers.
The ingredients for *chanko nabe* vary based on what’s in season, but the main components of the hot pot dish are:

1. __Broth__: *Chanko nabe* broth is typically made with chicken stock flavored with [miso paste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste) and/or soy sauce and [mirin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine). Dashi stock, made with [kombu](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kombu-guide) (kelp) and [bonito flakes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bonito-flakes-explained), is another common soup base for *chanko nabe*. (Leftover *chanko nabe* broth can be used to make udon noodle soup and [ramen](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe)).
2. __Chicken__: Chicken meatballs, cooked straight in the broth, are one of the most popular *chanko nabe* toppings. Chicken thighs are another option.
3. __Vegetables__: *Chanko nabe* can be made with whatever veggies you have on hand, but typical Japanese vegetables include shiitake mushrooms, [bok choy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bok-choy-guide), daikon radish, green onions, and mizuna (Japanese parsley).
This hot pot dish, favored by Japanese sumo wrestlers, is simple to make at home.


Chanko nabe is a type of nabemono (Japanese hot pot dish) traditionally served in sumo stables, the houses where sumo wrestlers live, train, and eat together in Japan. The word chanko is a compound of the words chan (parent) and ko (child), which references the sumo wrestler coaches and trainers sharing meals. The ingredients for chanko nabe vary based on seasonality and availability, but the dish often features chicken, which is a lucky animal in sumo wrestling—chickens keep two legs on the ground; sumo wrestlers lose a match if all four limbs hit the floor. Chanko nabe restaurants, the first of which opened in Tokyo in 1937, are typically operated by retired sumo wrestlers.

What Is Chanko Nabe?

The ingredients for chanko nabe vary based on what’s in season, but the main components of the hot pot dish are:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Broth: Chanko nabe broth is typically made with chicken stock flavored with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste","linkCopy":"miso paste","category":null}'>miso paste</a> and/or soy sauce and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine","linkCopy":"mirin","category":null}'>mirin</a>. Dashi stock, made with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kombu-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kombu-guide","linkCopy":"kombu","category":null}'>kombu</a> (kelp) and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bonito-flakes-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bonito-flakes-explained","linkCopy":"bonito flakes","category":null}'>bonito flakes</a>, is another common soup base for chanko nabe. (Leftover chanko nabe broth can be used to make udon noodle soup and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe","linkCopy":"ramen","category":null}'>ramen</a>). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Chicken: Chicken meatballs, cooked straight in the broth, are one of the most popular chanko nabe toppings. Chicken thighs are another option. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Vegetables: Chanko nabe can be made with whatever veggies you have on hand, but typical Japanese vegetables include shiitake mushrooms, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bok-choy-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bok-choy-guide","linkCopy":"bok choy","category":null}'>bok choy</a>, daikon radish, green onions, and mizuna (Japanese parsley). </li></ol>

3 Chanko Nabe Ingredients

Japanese Chanko Nabe Recipe

This hot pot dish, favored by Japanese sumo wrestlers, is simple to make at home.