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'Wanko Soba' Winner Devours 240 Bowls in 5 Minutes

Feb 12, 2024 | News On Japan

IWATE, Feb 12, 2024 (News On Japan) - Competitive eaters from across the nation gathered in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, for the much-anticipated annual Wanko Soba National Championship. As the drums rolled, "food warriors" rhythmically slurped down as many bowls of soba noodles as they could.

'Wanko Soba' Winner Devours 240 Bowls in 5 Minutes

In the individual category, where competitors vie to consume as many bowls of soba as possible within a five-minute limit, Hideaki Imoto from Kanagawa Prefecture emerged victorious by finishing 240 bowls, marking his seventh championship win.

This traditional event not only showcases the remarkable eating abilities of its contestants but also celebrates the cultural significance of wanko soba, a local specialty known for being served in small, continuously refilled bowls. Imoto's unprecedented victory underscores the intense preparation and skill involved in this unique competition, blending culinary prowess with endurance and strategy.

Source: TBS

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