Chanko Nabe Cooking Class in Japan: Make Sumo Wrestler Hot Pot

Sumo wrestlers eat chanko nabe every day to build strength, and you'll make it the same way they do.

A hands-on chanko nabe cooking class in Japan where you make the hot pot from scratch—starting with kombu broth, forming chicken meatballs and mochi pouches, adding seasonal vegetables—then taste it alongside sake pairings. The 90-minute class is taught in English by a live guide; minimum age is 20. Photographs are provided after the experience.

The Experience

You start by making the kombu broth from the ground up, then move through each component: shaping chicken meatballs by hand, preparing mochi pouches, and selecting seasonal Japanese vegetables that will cook down into the pot. The class runs 90 minutes, which is enough time to understand how the dish comes together without rushing through the steps. A live guide in English walks you through the technique and the reasoning behind each ingredient—why sumo wrestlers rely on this particular combination of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables to fuel their training.

Once the chanko nabe is ready, you taste what you've made. The sake tasting happens alongside the meal, and the guide explains how the pairing works: the umami depth of the broth and the richness of the meatballs open up differently when you move between the hot pot and the sake. This is the part of the experience that separates it from cooking at home—the pairing itself teaches you something about Japanese flavor logic that you can carry into your own kitchen.

Photographs taken during the class are available to download afterward, so you have a record of what you made. Public transportation options are nearby if you're traveling without a car. The class is open to anyone 20 and older.

What’s included

• Hands-on instruction in making chanko nabe from komba broth through finished hot pot.
• sake tasting paired with the meal.
• downloadable photographs taken during the class.

Good to know

Public transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Patia's Japanese Cooking Class

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want to learn a technique you can actually use at home—the kombu broth and meatball method is simple enough to repeat, and the sake pairing logic applies to other Japanese dishes you'll cook later. The 90-minute length means you're not committing a full day, so it works as a standalone experience or as part of a longer Japan trip.

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Top questions

What exactly is chanko nabe and why do sumo wrestlers eat it?

Chanko nabe is a hearty hot pot made with kombu broth, meat, tofu and vegetables—the everyday meal in sumo stables because it delivers the calories and protein wrestlers need to build and maintain their strength during training.

Do I need cooking experience to take this class?

No. The class teaches you how to make each component from scratch, starting with the broth. The guide walks through the technique step by step, so the focus is on learning the sumo wrestler method, not on prior skill.

What does the sake tasting involve?

You taste sake alongside the chanko nabe you've made, and the guide explains how the pairing brings out the umami flavors in the hot pot. It's part of understanding how Japanese cuisine works, not a separate tasting event.

How long does the class take?

The full experience is 90 minutes, which covers making the broth and components, cooking the hot pot, and tasting it with sake.

Is there a way to get to the class without a car?

Yes. Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the class without arranging private transport.