This week on Japan Eats, host Akiko Katayama is joined in the studio by fellow HRN hosts Harry Rosenblum and Michael Harlan Turkell, creators of the Sumo Stew event series.

Inspired by a trip to Japan, photographer Michael Harlan Turkell returned to New York City with aspirations of importing this ancient sport and teamed up with Harry Rosenblum, owner of The Brooklyn Kitchen, a wonderfully multi-faceted cooking store and center for culinary education. The two created a series based around plentiful bowls of chankonabe, the “sumo stew” wrestlers prepare and eat before matches. The hearty broth is loaded with fortifying protein and vegetables. This, paired with the live streamed bimonthly grand tournaments, makes for a lively event, bringing hungry first time and long-standing sumo fans ringside.

The next Sumo Stew takes place on Monday, March 13 at the Brooklyn Brewery, and tickets are available here.