Photo/Illutration A photo background featuring Kokugikan Curry is set up at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena for the November Grand Sumo Tournament. (Provided by the Japan Sumo Association)

A food fight is brewing at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena.

“Yakitori” grilled chicken skewers prepared in a basement factory at the venue have long been a favorite among fans. But this autumn, Kokugikan Curry pushed the skewers out of the spotlight.

The November Grand Sumo Tournament needed a star after two yokozuna and two of three ozeki wrestlers withdrew from the competition. The pre-packaged curry sauce mix filled the void.

“The highlight of this basho is Kokugikan Curry,” Japan Sumo Association (JSA) spokesman Shibatayama said on Nov. 12, the fifth day of the tournament. “It’s flying off the shelves.”

Shibatayama fought as a yokozuna under the name Onokuni.

A shop in the arena had prepared 50,000 curry packages before the tournament began. But they quickly sold out, forcing the shop operator to add another 50,000 units.

The curry was originally an off-menu item served several times a month at a JSA members-only restaurant on the basement floor.

Its ingredients are pork, onion and a secret roux crafted by the chef.

“It’s the most popular dish served in the restaurant,” a publicist said.

Apprentice wrestlers attending the sumo training school at the arena have also enjoyed the curry over the years.

Late last year, a stablemaster suggested to Kokugikan Service Corp., the restaurant operator, that the curry be made available to fans.

Kokugikan Service, which also serves the yakitori skewers, took the lead in a project to commercialize the curry.

All 10,000 packages sold out when the curry sauce mix first went on sale at the shop in the arena during the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September. 

“It’s not too hot nor too sweet,” the publicist said. “I can’t get enough of it, and I want to eat it again later in the same day.”

Shibatayama added: “It’s great because it appeals to all tastes. You can also make adjustments by adding stir-fried pork or beef.”

Priced at 400 yen ($3.80), the curry sauce mix is promoted under the slogan of: “Its taste, yokozuna-class.”

Kokugikan Curry is available at the JSA’s official online store at (https://shop.sumo.or.jp/) or at sumo goods shop Sumo Meihinkan at (https://shop.kokugikan.jp/).

Related News