The Ramen Tavern In Knoxville

Beer and ramen have been a part of the Japanese dining culture for a long time now.

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in most countries, Japan is no exception. Coupled with the yummy broth noodle dish that originated in China and became a popular comfort and staple dish in Japan.

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In my country, most people know “ramen” as “Top Ramen” or “Cup of Noodles.” And amongst the low-income folk we have made it an art to come up with creative ways to eat Top Ramen. I remember times of my childhood when that was literally all we could afford. No broth, with broth, stir-fried, add vegetables and scrambled eggs for fast and easy egg-drop soup. Instant noodles are versatile and affordable. 😂

Pro-top: I don’t like beer unless I am using it to cook. Boiling your noodles in beef and using it for the broth makes it taste fancy! Super yummy. It takes it up a notch in flavor when you use it for the broth too.

But there’s not a whole lot in this world that’s better than an authentic bowl of piping hot ramen.

And if you have not had the pleasure of experiencing a bowl of real ramen with all the fixings, I HIGHLY recommend seeking it out. Trying new things is one of the many things that make life worth living, my friends. Especially authentic ramen.

Luckily for anyone in the Knoxville area, you don’t have to do any research because I have just the place for you to go enjoy a bowl of amazing ramen with a nice beer (if that’s your thing, soda is available too).

Sutree’s High Gravity Tavern

Our discovery of the ramen tavern was by chance. I’d had to go to the ER and after being there for almost 8 hours, I was hangry (does it count as hangry if you’re in excruciating pain and haven’t eaten for 18 hours?) and my wonderful lifemate felt the same. He knew my choices of comfort foot and decided a bowl of ramen was just what the doctor ordered for us both.

A quick little Google and 15 minutes later we’re pulling into the beautiful scenic Market Square in Knoxville. We parked by a beautiful brass and steel art piece called “Steampunk Babylon,” and I enjoyed the view.

As we walked up to the tavern I looked at Chris and said: “We’re going to find ramen in a bar?”

“Yep!”

“Here? The tavern with ramen is here?” As my anxiety increased and my blood sugar gets low - I get more confused. I wasn’t doubting the man who hasn’t let me down yet, I was just surprised. American bars serve hotnwings and fried potatoes. Not ramen!

A young college man piped up from a stool in front of the tavern happily: “Ramen? Oh yeah! That’s here!” He was hanging out with two girls and I could tell they were having a nerd-together at this bar as they were all wearing concert festival or anime shirts.

“Oh. That’s so cool. Thanks!” I said as I followed Chris inside the establishment. I was excited. I’ve been to a few dives in the rural areas, back when my mom could stand and walk. We’d go to bars and play Billiards and listen to music and sing together.

So I wasn’t surprised by the rustic aesthetics of wooden floors and furniture, long wooden bars on the side of the room and neon beer signs scattered about the wall. Pretty typical American tavern. Except the scent of stale beer wasn’t the first scent that hit me in the face, it was wood polish. That was pretty nice.

You order at the bar and they give you a buzzer. And you wait for about 10 minutes. And then they bring out huge steaming bowls of noodle perfection. And all of the waiting is worth it the second the scent wafts up your nostrils.

The great thing about their menu (featured up top) is that they have traditional ramen, but also they have some creative interpretations of ramen, some of them with pleasing American twists. There is a spicy brisket ramen that I fully intend to try when I go back (and for kid-free dates, I’m pretty sure this is going to be our newest favorite food pick when we are in the area).

Traditionally ramen is various vegetables like carrots, cabbage, chives, leeks, and kelp with a protein, and a soft-boiled egg. Pork or fish are common choices for the meat. Accompanied by big yummy firm bouncy thick ramen noodles.

The Neoguri Umami Bomb was so savory, and the pieces of salmon literally melted like butter in your mouth. The curry had a kick and gave the ramen a southwestern flavor. But if we had wanted a traditional ramen, they had that option as well. And it was amazing.

So if you'd like to try something new, and you're in the Knoxville area, particularly around S Gay Street, swing by between 4:00 P.M. and 11:00. It's ramen worth venturing the wild city streets for. And for anyone who ever may be in the area in the future, it's worth adding to your day-trip agenda.

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