Written by Matt Schorr
Clarksville, TN – Akita Ramen Sushi & Izakaya is a relatively new establishment for Clarksville. In fact, the Japanese eatery located at 1101 Meadowhill Lane, Suite E (Meadowhill Plaza just off Madison Street) only opened its doors around one year ago when owner Eddie Senchen brought his decades of experience to the Queen City of the Cumberland.
Senchen’s time as a Japanese restaurateur began when he was 17 years old in New York City. His professional journey took him to Charleston, SC, then to Brentwood, then to Knoxville, and finally to Clarksville. After seeing its growth over the years, he saw an opportunity to bring a new flavor to our not-so-little community.
According to Senchen, Akita Ramen Sushi & Izakaya serves the best quality sushi in Tennessee. With it, he hopes to offer an option of Japanese cuisine that, until now, he’d seen in Nashville but not Clarksville.
That cuisine includes “wagyu” beef from Japanese cattle and renowned for its tender, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and “toro,” a portion of bluefin tuna equally renowned for a rich and buttery texture.
These are just a couple of the menu’s options, of course. Akita’s menu is, as you might expect, rather extensive. Not to mention diverse.
‘Akita’ hails from Japan
The distinctive and varied cuisine is reflected in the establishment’s own name. When translated, each individual word carries a few of the flavors presented within their doors.
“Akita” is a geographical name originating from the northern Akita Prefecture in Japan. Its literal translation is “autumn rice field” or “autumn rice paddy,” which is a genuine reflection of the various steamed and fried rice options you’ll find.
Chicken fried rice. Shrimp fried rice. And, of course, wagyu beef fried rice.
True ‘Ramen’
“Ramen,” meanwhile, should be a pretty familiar term in a college town like ours. No doubt almost every closet in Austin Peay State University’s dorms holds boxes filled with dehydrated noodles ready for microwaving.
Not to knock the typical college student’s trusted sustenance, but those options don’t compare with true ramen, like what you’ll find at Akita.
True ramen uses fresh, elastic noodles that provide a chewy texture, served in meticulously brewed broth, and topped with fresh ingredients like pork, eggs, and bamboo shoots, just to name a few.
For the spice-lover, Sapporo Miso Ramen ranges from mild to hot with ground pork, miso flavoring and scallions.
Meanwhile, for the less bold, Shoyu Ramen comes with signature chicken broth and a half-marinated egg.
Then, there’s the vegetarian option of Vegetable Ramen, with tofu and stir-fried bean sprouts.
‘Sushi’ doesn’t mean Fish
Meanwhile, a common misconception about the word “sushi” is that it means “raw fish.” This isn’t true, both in the literal translation and in the various sushi rolls out there.
“Sushi” in English means “vinegared rice.” It’s not defined by raw fish – or fish at all, for that matter – but rather the vinegar-seasoned rice combined with ingredients like vegetables, eggs, or seafood.
Thus, you’ll find many non-fish sushi rolls at every sushi restaurant, including Akita. On my visit, I helped myself to a sweet potato roll. It was a first for me. I’ve enjoyed several different sushi options – eel rolls, California rolls, avocado rolls, spice crab rolls – but Akita’s sweet potato roll was new. And, of course, delicious.
The yam was starchy and sugary, a blend of savory potato, carrot, and squash tastes with sweet notes of vanilla, and it paired perfectly with the unique sweet and sour flavor of sushi rice. I added a touch of wasabi and soy sauce to mine to add a bit more bite, but I recommend using your own discretion there.
Wasabi isn’t for the faint of heart. Or palate.
‘Izakaya’ is for Drinking (and chatting)
An “izakaya’ is, essentially, a pub. There’s a bit more to it than a traditional American tavern of course. In addition to drinks, an izakaya serves a variety of smaller dishes and appetizers.
The atmosphere for such a place tends to be casual, lively, and conversational, often frequented by friends or coworkers. For the more seasoned readers, it’s the sort of place “where everybody knows your name.”
For the not-so-seasoned readers, think of it as a tavern from Game of Thrones without all the sword fighting or the terrible final season.Akita provides this lively and welcoming atmosphere, in addition to its sushi bar and dinner and lunch menus, with an extensive beverage list, offering both hard and soft options ranging from beer to wine to sake to soda.
A Taste of Japan in Clarksville
So, if you’re a connoisseur of cultural cuisine, a rabid ramen-er, a sushi sampler like me, or your own version of Norm Perterson (and that’s my last Cheers reference, I promise), Akita Ramen Sushi & Izakaya has not just something to offer you, but several somethings. Swing by during your lunch break, treat your family to dinner, or escort your next dinner date to Meadowhill Plaza for a unique taste of Japan that you’ll only find here in Clarksville.
