Chankonabe

A highly caloric staple of the sumo wrestlers' diet, chankonabe is a rich stew consisting of dashi, sake, chicken or fish, and vegetables such as daikon and bok choy, although the dish has no fixed recipe and usually contains readily available ingredients that are full of protein.

The dish is often served with rice, beer, and side dishes such as fried chicken and shrimp dumplings. Chankonabe dates back to the late 19th century, when cooks from Niigata started to make meals for sumo wrestlers. It is the main course of a sumo meal, and all the wrestlers have to eat it as a part of their weight-gain diet, whether they like the dish or not.

The word chan refers to father, while nabe refers to one-pot meals that are often served at the table. However, chankonabe is not reserved only for sumo wrestlers, as it is a nutritious and filling bowl of soup that is ideal for winter, but it should be consumed in moderation in order not to gain too much weight.