Akebono

Feeling a bit out of sorts today thinking lunch and my mom’s company might perk me up. Jamming in the car with my David Bowie playlist and listening to ‘Fame’ off we went to Akebono for some Japanese food. A bowl of champon should do me a whirl of good.

Champon is a regional dish from Nagasaki in Japan and goes back to the Meiji era when the owner of a Chinese restaurant there created a cheap and filling meal for Chinese students who came to Japan to study. It uses ramen noodles but differs that the noodles are boiled directly in the soup made from chicken stock. Akebono’s champon toppings are delicious and plentiful with shrimp, squid, scallops, pork, onion, carrots, kamaboko (fish cake) with lots of cabbage stir fried and placed on top of the noodles and soup. The broth is nicely seasoned and not too salty. A spicy version is offered but I prefer the traditional mild flavor. Akebono’s champon hit the spot.

I asked my 85 year old mom if she knew who David Bowie was and she said, “uta no hito” (person who sings). It’s very likely that ramen boy’s generation wouldn’t be familiar with him. He has heard the story many times about my younger days living in New York and the once in a lifetime opportunity had the stars been aligned. My predecessor where I worked had moved on to a talent/model agency. We had kept in touch and one day she called me asking if I was interested in working as a personal assistant to David Bowie and Iman. Her boss was a close friend of Iman’s and her Maid of Honor at their wedding. Vera thought of me thinking I wouldn’t be starstruck or intimidated since she knew my boss at the time was a tough cookie who reminded us that no fraternizing was allowed with the rich and famous. Yesterday I asked ramen boy, “What if I had taken that job? Would my life be different?” Ramen boy said matter of factly, “No everything would be the same mom. You would have married dad and you would have me. The only difference is that you would have known David Bowie.”

But how wonderful would have that been to know a musical genius. Dream on ramen mom. RIP Ziggy your music will live on forever.

Akebono
Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar
4960 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 731-8288
www.akebonojapaneserestaurant.com