Japanese Cooking Styles – Authentic Japanese Food In Knoxville, TN
Thursday, October 12th, 2017
Japanese food in America typically means sushi and hibachi. While these foods are rooted in Japanese tradition and are very delicious, there are so many other kinds of Japanese cooking methods and dishes that people in Knoxville and East Tennessee don’t get to experience.
To better understand the depth of authentic Japanese food served at Anaba, see the following definitions of dishes that you can enjoy today, right here in Knoxville! You can also browse our menu for all of our traditional and modern dishes, including excellent sushi.
Izakaya – Izakaya is roughly equated to a sports bar in Japan. It’s a gathering place where friends can meet after work and enjoy simple, tasty dishes together with drinks. In Japan, Izakayas have been serving the Eastern equivalent to tapas dishes for hundreds of years. These dishes include sushi, pieces of panko fried fish/shrimp, and grilled skewers called yakitori. You can learn more about the spirit and history of Izakayas here.
Yakitori – The word “yaki” means grilled in Japanese. Yakitori is a traditional dish of marinated chicken grilled over an open flame on skewers, much like kebabs. This dish is often served in Japan in specialty takeout shops, street carts, and izakaya dives.
Ramen Noodles – While there’s nothing wrong with the cheap ramen noodles that you eat in college, real ramen is much, much better. Made from thin, wheat-based noodles, ramen is cooked “al dente” and served with a salty broth to accentuate the flavor of the noodle itself.
Udon Noodles – Udon noodles are very thick, and considered a simple comfort food base for yummy toppings like panko fried shrimp, dashi, mirin, and grilled meats and vegetables, like in our popular dish yakiudon (remember, “yaki” means grilled).
Soba Noodles – Soba noodles are the rarest in the States, especially in Knoxville and East Tennessee. These noodles are made from buckwheat flour and are often served chilled with a small cup of broth. To eat soba, take a bite of noodles with your chopsticks and dip them into the broth. At Anaba, we make yakisoba, a stir-fry dish that offers a unique take on normal stir-fry noodles.
Takoyaki – Invented in 1935, takoyaki is a popular octopus dish made with a thick, delicious batter. This is a popular appetizer and is definitely something you need to try today at Anaba!
Of course, there is much more than what is listed here, but these are some popular Japanese dishes that every cultured foodie and traveler should know about. Next time you order sushi, try an order of takoyaki or yakitori as an appetizer, or indulge in our wonderful noodle dishes!