What is Chanko Nabe? History and how to make?

 Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew) is a Sumo Wrestler’s meal best eaten after the match. The dish is full of protein and carbs and can be made by combining elements of other dishes from Japan, China, or Korea.

Even large cities like Tokyo have their own versions of the spicy stew that differs regionally based on what ingredients are most abundant in certain regions.

The traditional Japanese dish has many variations including using chicken instead of beef or pork, which can be seen in some regions such as Kyushu that are closer to China and Vietnam where they use more Western ingredients like mung bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage, and green onions (scallions).

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Chanko Nabe - Food for Japanese Sumo

Chanko Nabe – Food for Japanese Sumo

What is Chanko Nabe?

Chanko Nabe (nabe is Japanese for pot) is a traditional Japanese rice-based and vegetable dish, prepared as a hot pot, typically served with a large variety of ingredients. Chanko Nabe is one of the most popular foods consumed by sumo wrestlers during training. The main ingredient of this dish is Chanko Nabe which means “stew” in Japanese. This food usually consists of meat, fish, and vegetables. It contains high amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and a variety of vitamins. Chanko Nabe can be found at restaurants all over Japan and few hotels offer it in their meals.

It is said that the best Chanko Nabe is cooked in a very traditional manner. For example, it is said that the best broth for Chanko nabe must be made with pork or chicken bones and lard. The broth is boiled for several hours and then cooled down.

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The meat used in making Chanko Nabe can either be beef or pork, but chicken can also be used. Some people add sea urchin to the stew as well. The dish also includes ingredients such as mung bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage, and green onions or scallions (green part of a green onion).

A bowl of Chanko Nabe can weigh up to 1.8 pounds so it may be difficult for some people to finish eating it. This food has become the most popular food among sumo wrestlers because of its protein and carb content. Sumo wrestlers use Chanko Nabe as a way to gain weight and when they have a match, they eat this dish after the match to replenish their energy levels.

The dish has been eaten for centuries by sumo wrestlers to help them recover from grueling bouts in the dohyo (ring). Today this food is enjoyed as a health drink or for celebratory events. 

Chanko Nabe is a nutritious Japanese food

Chanko Nabe is a nutritious Japanese food

History Of Chanko Nabe

Chanko Nabe has been around since the time of samurai warriors in Japan. They would eat this dish after engaging in training and matches against opponents for many years in order to gain more weight and strength, as stated above. The word chanko comes from the Chinese word for boiling food and the word nabe comes from a Japanese term for cooking in a pot.

Chanko stew is still eaten today because it helps sumo wrestlers gain weight. This is why sumo wrestlers eat this dish before and after competitions, as well as during training. In order to make this traditional Japanese dish, expensive ingredients such as fish, meat, and vegetables are used in its preparation. Each sumo wrestler prides himself in making his own Chanko Nabe recipe, therefore, getting the ingredients can be difficult because of its scarcity. Chanko Nabe is also served on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. It is also a dish eaten when celebrating a victory in tournaments. To this day sumo wrestlers eat this dish and continue to prepare it the same way. 

History Of Chanko Nabe

History Of Chanko Nabe

The Sumo Wrestlers Diet

It is thought that the sumo wrestler’s diet is very unhealthy because they eat many fatty foods such as Chanko Nabe with pork fat, which contributes to high cholesterol and heart disease. This may be true for professional sumo wrestlers who are over 500 pounds. However, the majority of the world’s sumo wrestlers are under 300 pounds.

These smaller sumos eat Chanko Nabe about four times per week, but they also consume more vegetables and fruits in place of meat. It is also important to note that the sumo wrestlers who are over 500 pounds do not live very long, so they are a minority in the sumo world.

Today, sumos are not as big as they used to be, thus, they don’t consume Chanko Nabe for long periods of time. The smaller sumos train and compete for fifteen years less than their predecessors. This is why most sumos are now under 300 pounds and eat more vegetables and fruits instead of fatty meats such as pork fat found in Chanko Nabe. The sumo wrestler’s diet has evolved and changed throughout time, but Chanko Nabe is still a traditional dish used in the diet of most sumos.

Diet for Sumo Wrestlers

Diet for Sumo Wrestlers

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How to make chako nebe? 

Chanko nabe ingredients

  • 300-350g of boiled pork.
  • 300-400g of potatoes.
  • 300g of boiled or steamed chicken.
  • 200g of mushrooms.
  • 100g of mung bean sprouts.
  • 100g of thinly sliced cabbage.
  • 100g green onions (scallions) or chives.
  • 500ml of vegetable oil (melted).

Instructions for Chanko Nabe

  • Arrange ingredients to your liking on a plate.
  • Put the cooked meat, potatoes, and vegetables into the nabe pot and add miso soup stock (or water).
  • Boil the ingredients and add water to them.
  • Once everything is cooked thoroughly (about 45 minutes), turn off the heat, separate the ingredients, and distribute them according to your liking onto four plates or bowls. 
  • You can also braise meat in sake or soy sauce instead of dashi for added flavor! 

Cooking notes for Chanko Nabe

  • The temperature will vary depending on the pot you use and the ingredients you use, so it is important to watch over the cooking process.
  • Adjust the amount of water used depending on how thick or thin you want your Chanko Nabe to be.
  • Add sesame oil or butter if desired.
  • You can also add more vegetables other than those specified above if you wish! It’s up to you! 

Add sesame oil or butter to Chanko nabe

Add sesame oil or butter to Chanko nabe

Some questions about Chanko Nabe?

How many calories are in Chanko Nabe?

Chanko Nabe is a Japanese stew, which is typically eaten by sumo wrestlers after a match. It contains noodles and lots of vegetables, so it is very high in carbohydrates. If you are wondering how many calories are in Chanko Nabe, it ranges from 400-800 calories per serving. This number will vary depending on the number of vegetables added to the dish, as well as the amount of oil used to cook everything. 

How many carbs are in Chanko Nabe? 

Chanko Nabe is very high in carbohydrates, which can be 100-110 grams per serving. Carbs are found in the vegetables used and in the noodles, so it is important to watch your carb intake if you plan on eating a lot of it. If you are trying to cut back on carbs, eat smaller portions of Chanko Nabe and add more vegetables. 

How many proteins are in Chanko Nabe?

Chanko Nabe is very high in proteins because a protein-rich meat broth called dashi is used as the main ingredient. You can get about 15-21 grams of protein per serving of Chanko Nabe

How much fat is in Chanko Nabe?

Chanko Nabe is very high in fats because it uses very lean meat called pork and the oil used to cook the food. The oil used can account for up to 10 grams of fat per serving, so make sure you don’t go over that number. Consider this when you are planning on eating a lot of Chanko Nabe if your calorie intake is low. 

Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew) is a Japanese dish that is typically eaten by sumo wrestlers after a match. It is high in carbohydrates because it uses noodles and vegetables. It is also high in protein because it uses a protein-rich meat broth called dashi. This food is also very high in fat because it contains very little meat and the oil used to cook the food. If consumed properly, it can be healthy if you are looking for an alternative to rice, but remember to watch your portion sizes

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