In sumo wrestling, the traditional stew eaten by wrestlers is called chankonabe.
Chankonabe is a hearty one-pot meal associated with sumo stables. It commonly contains meat or fish, tofu, vegetables and a broth, although there is no single compulsory recipe. Different stables and cooks use different ingredients and seasonings, so the dish can vary considerably.
The meal is practical as well as traditional. Sumo wrestlers need large amounts of nutritious food, and cooking one shared pot makes it easier to feed everyone in a stable. Wrestlers commonly eat a substantial meal after morning training and then rest, part of a routine intended to support weight gain and recovery.
Chankonabe is not exclusively a wrestler’s food. Restaurants, especially those run by retired wrestlers, serve versions of it to the public. Another common misconception is that the dish itself guarantees a wrestler’s size; body weight depends on overall diet, training, genetics and lifestyle.