Tennessee is the second closest state in the United States to Japan. Not in proximity, but with the sheer amount of Japanese businesses that have made a home in Tennessee.
Anaba Japanese is one of many authentic Japanese restaurants that serve traditional dishes in Knoxville.
Anaba, located at 9405 S. Northshore Dr., provides affordable Japanese meals in a quiet and modern atmosphere. When entering, the room was dimly lit, with televisions showing sports and a bar with sushi chefs working diligently to fill orders. The furniture and decor remained very modern with Japanese paintings and accents on the walls.
Honestly, I felt that the restaurant was far too fancy to have affordable, college student friendly meal options. But those fears were quickly laid to rest once I looked at the menu. With such an extensive menu, we decided to order an appetizer, settling on the yakitori marinated in a sweet teriyaki sauce.
The dinner menu was divided into five distinct sections: noodle dishes, panko fried dishes, hibachi-style dinners, rice bowls and sushi rolls. The eaterie offered traditional meals like Japanese curry, one of the most popular dishes in Japan; yakisoba, stir-fried udon noodles with chicken or tofu, cabbage and onions topped with seaweed, scallions and bonito flakes.
Of the cold noodle entrees, the udon and the ramen dishes, I picked out the most expensive of all at $13. The chashu ramen was a large bowl of ramen topped with a boiled egg, chashu (pork belly braised in a combination of soy sauce, mirin and sake), bean sprouts, scallions and nori seaweed. I had options of shoyu, tonkatsu or miso soup base, but opted for the savory tonkatsu flavor. The ramen was savory and flavorful and the chashu was extremely tender. The extra cash was definitely worth it on this option and I began to get full despite only eating a few mouthfuls.
I wanted to try as much as I possibly could to get a feel of all the different options. The chicken rice bowl seemed like a tasty pairing to the ramen dish. The bowl featured chicken, broccoli and zucchini slathered in teriyaki sauce, served over a bed of white rice. The meal was well rounded and the vegetables were cooked to perfection. This option was priced at $12 and was served with an option of soup or salad.
Satisfied and full, I was looking for something tasty as I glanced over at the dessert menu. The tempura cheesecake was calling my name and who was I to deny it. A soft cheesecake entombed in a crunchy tempura crust with toppings like chocolate sauce, slices of strawberries and, of course, whipped cream made the perfect and tasty end to a great night.
Overall, Anaba offered one of the most authentic Japanese culinary experiences I’ve ever had. The menu had plenty of options and all at a reasonable price. I suggest making it a date spot if you’re looking for something new, classy and affordable.
Anaba's chicken bowl includes vegetables and rice.
