Chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋) is a Japanese sumo wrestling food. Check out my full Tokyo travel and food guide here: http://migrationology.com/2014/03/tokyo-travel-guide-for-food-lovers/
When I was in Tokyo, unfortunately it was not during the time of the year when sumo wrestling fights taking place in the city. However, that still doesn’t mean that you can’t go to the sumo area of Tokyo and walk around and of course eat. So one day we headed over to Ryogoku and first we went to the sumo stadium, where we walked around the small but free museum. And that’s where I found the “sumo food map” – which happens to be available to any tourist or anybody who grabs it at the stadium.
I was pretty thrilled, after walking around for a few more minutes, I studied the map, and decided to walk around the neighborhood to discover some of the sumo restaurants available in the area. A few of them looked to be closed, but then finally I settled on a restaurant by the name of Chanko Tomoegata (巴潟). From the outside of the restaurant, you could see some sumo wrestler flags waving, but the restaurant actually didn’t look all that busy. So we stepped inside, and using whatever communication we could, the receptionist told us that the restaurant was full. At first I was pretty disappointed, but then she just said to wait a few minutes and there would be space. Little did I know that the main part of the restaurant was upstairs, so we didn’t even know how busy it was until some people started coming down.
The good news was, the wait only took about 15 minutes or so, and we were led up the staircase into sumo food heaven. The restaurant was actually a little bit on the expensive side, and I had no clue what I was ordering or what I was doing, all I know is that I needed to try a dish known as chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋), which is like a sumo stew. It’s supposed to be hearty, filling, calorie rich, and just overall delicious – I guess that’s why Chanko Tomoegata (巴潟) was so busy. Unfortunately, there were no sumo wrestlers eating there, but mostly just business men and women… but anyway was still pretty cool. Everything in the restaurant was sumo themed, even our teacups had pictures of famous sumo wrestlers on them. I immediately loved the restaurant as soon as we walked in.
At first I was going to order a beautiful amazing and giant looking hot pot of soup with like 20 different ingredients in it, but then I realized that that was a little bit out of my price range, and would’ve cost about $30 per person – originally I had thought that it would be $30 for the whole pot. So the waitress kindly directed us to their lunch special known as Sumoheyafu Higawari Chanko, which is think was a type of chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋) in a set. Ying and I both decided to go for, but she got just the normal platter, and I got the one with an extra dish of sashimi on the side.
Chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋) is a sumo wrestlers meal. The version I got was like a big hot pot of miso soup, boiled with nice pieces of thin pork, a lot of napa cabbage, and some other vegetables and herbs. My meal came with an entire tray, so along with the chankonabe (ちゃんこ鍋), there was also different side dishes including a bowl of sashimi which was incredibly delicious. Since it was so cold outside when I was visiting Tokyo, this sumo feast was incredibly comforting and a warming meal. The miso soup broth was so smooth and so flavorful, and the mix of vegetables and meat and herbs was just marvelous. The other side dishes were equally delightful, and the entire meat at Chanko Tomoegata (巴潟) in Tokyo was excellent. It was just so cool to eat food like a sumo wrestler!
Address: http://www.tomoegata.com/
Price: 1,890 JPY ($18.60), but without the sashimi it was 1,260 JPY ($12.40)
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network:
Free Thai street food guide: http://www.eatingthaifood.com/free-bangkok-dollar-menu-guide/
Eating Thai Food Guide: http://www.eatingthaifood.com/eating-thai-food-guide/
Bangkok 101 Guide: http://migrationology.com/ebook-101-things-to-do-in-bangkok/
Thank you so much for watching this food and travel video by Mark Wiens. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss my next tasty adventure. You can subscribe right here: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=migrationology
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Mark and Mike from strictlydumplings are my favorite food bloggers
Does he have to make that dumbass face with every bite?
593 Vananessa
You look so shy here mark hahha i remember this vid of yours it's been 5 years now.
A video about food that samurais eat??
Poor cameraman
Take a bite,roll your eyes and go….Oohhhhhh.
I clicked for the chanko nabe soup….stayed for the face expression…loll that was hilarious. Subscribed
I clicked for the chanko nabe soup….stayed for the face expression…loll that was hilarious. Subscribed
Love japan, love eastern Asian food, some of the best in the world.
Love japan, love eastern Asian food, some of the best in the world.
The thing he referred to as a deep fried gravy, wasn't that korokke?
Mark, please don't ever stop doing your eyes closed swoom after tasting something delicious. I love it!
Like
2 mill subs and ain't got no money for chanko.
I’m not sure “perfection” and “magestic” are the right words to describe a 1500yen bowl of sumo soup…
So jealous right now
Oishi
Hello Mark. Thanks for share your experience. Chankinabe looks amazing. The next june I going to travel to Tokyo, Japan. Would you help me with the name of the Chankonabe's restaurant? Sure, I must try to taste this! Keep going with your journeys. Cheers!
worth he wait.
Hey man! I didn't know you had a YouTube channel… Very ignorant of me… We exchanged some mails when I was in Thailand. Good to see you again!☺️
I love your videos, I have been binge watching them for a couple of days now. Your expressions, your descriptions, everything is just awesome and so informative.
Soveryvery good good delicious delicious eateeeeeeeeee
The face he makes after eating just adds to the experience. To all of those who are complaining about it: Suck it up!
All people commenting bad on Mark's making face ..fucked off!L
That portion is big enough for two IMO. You could share it with the wife, just ask for another bowl of rice and you're good to go.
hey man your videos are amazing, congratulations some day i want to go and eat all these meals… but pls dont put that funny face anymore pls !
Worst jacket ever worn
Pork is no 1 meet in World
Guru sab acha hai.
When his head leaning to the left/right, it's good.
fairly new subscriber and first time commenter here saying i'm loving watching your videos so far and i've gotten used to your signature taste stare 🙂 love the quality of your videos as well as your commentary on the food. you seem to know a lot about food and have a great appreciation for all the different cuisines/flavors in the world. keep up the great work!
maybe bay a new jacket
I love that all the comments are about his face. This is hilarious
the guy makes a weird face and yall want to physically assault him smh
Man youre making me kind of jealous lol
Went there and the lady at the door said " sorry we are full, sorry!" so I left abruptly. I shud've instead told her that I'd b willing to wait till there is a free spot. If u r a not a local of Japan they might treat you in the same way.
that sashimi reaction @3:42 lol
Couple of Questions, 1. What was the name of this Restaurant ?, 2. How often do you Travel a Year and 3. have you ever been to Buffalo (my Hometown). If not I can hook you up with some Awesome Recommendations !!!
What time of year did you visit?
going there tomorrow! ?
I love see your pose when u eat , that's so enjoyable to see that lol
I enjoy Chanonabe. Ate an awesome one in Osaka and at some Sumo teacher's house.
a slightly old video a bit late for me to say but the food looks fantastic ! I love all your videos keep up the awesomeness mark xD !!
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