Japan Food Challenges Eat to Win at These 11 Japanese

Japan is renowned for its vibrant food culture, and for those with a hearty appetite, the country offers a plethora of eating challenges that can reward successful participants with free meals and impressive prizes. Here are some of the most notable Japan food challenges that you can attempt to win.

Kayabashi Ramen Challenge

Located in Chiba, the Kayabashi Ramen offers several ramen-eating challenges that cater to different appetites and time limits. The challenges include:

• For 1 person: 6 portions of miso ramen in 45 minutes, with a prize of 30,000 yen.
• For 2 people: 6 portions of miso ramen in 15 minutes, with a prize of 10,000 yen.
• For 1 person: 10 portions of miso ramen in 60 minutes, with a prize of 50,000 yen.
• For 2 people: 10 portions of miso ramen in 30 minutes, with a prize of 30,000 yen.

Participants must drink all the soup and remain seated during the challenge. Failure to complete the challenge incurs a fee, and vomiting in the restaurant or car park results in disqualification and an additional cleaning fee.

Steak Kentas Challenge

At Steak Kentas in Tokyo, the challenge involves eating multiple sets of 200g steaks and vegetable sets. The prize money increases with the number of sets consumed:

• 14th set: Meal becomes free.
• 15th set: Earn 200 yen.
• 20th set: Earn 4,200 yen.

Reservations are required, and participants must adhere to strict rules, including not leaving anything uneaten and avoiding any behavior that might upset other customers.

Hokkaido Jiyujinsha Jikan Kitadai Store Challenge

In Hokkaido, Jikan Kitadai Store offers a curry and rice challenge. Participants must finish 2kg of rice and 1kg of curry within 30 minutes. The challenge requires a 2,000 yen participation fee, which is refunded along with a 5,000 yen prize if the challenge is completed. Participants can also eat as many pickles as they want during the challenge.

Ribera Steakhouse Challenge

At Ribera Steakhouse in Tokyo, the challenge involves consuming 3 massive steaks and 3 big plates of rice within 30 minutes. Successful participants receive 10,000 yen for free, along with an additional 10,000 yen prize. The rule is to finish one plate of steak and rice before being given the next.

Ajisen Gyozabo Shibuya Challenge

In Shibuya, Ajisen Gyozabo offers a gyoza-eating challenge. Participants must finish 16 "meat pies" (each weighing around 1/2lb) in 30 minutes to get the 3,000 yen meal for free, along with a ticket voucher for a future free meal.

Fujiyama Dragon Curry Challenge

At Fujiyama Dragon Curry in Tokyo, the challenge is to finish 2,500 grams of curry within 20 minutes. Although this is no longer an official challenge, the massive portion remains on the menu, costing 4,000 yen. While there is no prize for completing this challenge, it is still a significant feat for any eater.

Kasuga Tei Kanda Challenge

Kasuga Tei Kanda offers the ABURA SOBA KING CHALLENGE, where participants can choose from different levels. The "4Bowl" Challenge, for example, involves finishing around 3.6kg of food within 40 minutes, with a prize of 10,000 yen. Participants cannot downgrade to a lower level challenge once they have succeeded at a higher level.

Mazilu Langzhou Beef Noodles Challenge

In Tokyo, Mazilu Langzhou Beef Noodles presents a spicy Chinese ramen challenge. Participants must finish a massive bowl of noodles weighing around 4.5kg (without the bowl) within 45 minutes. Successful completion earns the meal for free, along with five meal cards worth 650 yen each. Failure incurs a cost of 9,000 yen.

Hinata Kanata Challenge

At Hinata Kanata in Tachikawa, the challenge involves finishing 2.5kg of chicken and 1kg of rice, along with a side of salad and miso soup, within 30 minutes. Successful participants get the meal for free.

Little Yummy Curry Omurice Challenge

In Asakusabashi, Tokyo, Little Yummy offers a 3kg Curry Omurice Challenge. Participants have 45 minutes to finish a massive pile of rice covered in 20 eggs, curry sauce, melted cheese, two hamburgers, and a German-style sausage. While there is no free meal prize, successful participants get their name and photo on the Wall of Fame.

Each of these challenges offers a unique culinary experience and the opportunity to win significant prizes, making them must-attempt feats for any serious food enthusiast visiting Japan.