Sumo & Nabe Season🍲

Dear Japanese Food Lovers,

Hello from Aiko at isfor WA, Oxford!

Last week, I wrote about the yakitori factory beneath the sumo stadium — but did you know there’s also a famous sumo-inspired dish called Chanko Nabe?

Chanko Nabe is a hearty hotpot enjoyed by sumo wrestlers to build strength and stamina. It’s packed with ingredients like chicken, tofu, vegetables, and sometimes seafood, all simmered in a rich broth.

Of course, that’s just one kind of nabe (Japanese hotpot) — there are endless variations! The soup base can be miso, soy sauce, salt, tonkotsu (pork bone) or even tomato, and ingredients range from seafood to meats to seasonal vegetables.

In Japan, when the weather turns cold, people often say “It’s nabe season!” Families and friends gather around the table, cooking and eating together from one pot — it’s the ultimate comfort meal.

We’ll be sharing some delicious nabe recipes soon on isfor WA. Stay tuned and warm this season!