Pizza might not be on your list of foods to try in Tokyo, but you would be missing out on some of the city's best pizzerias.
As big of a metropolis as Tokyo is, there is more to eat than just the recommended local food like okonomiyaki and gyudon. Living or travelling to the capital might have you craving Western food, and luckily, Tokyo is an abundance of that.
Americans first introduced pizza in Japan after World War II. American chains started opening up later in the 1970s. But like every region, toppings and tastes changes. Therefore, local pizza chains opened up around Japan with traditional ingredients such as squid, corn, potato, and honey.
Although pizza has been around for more than 50 years in Japan, it is rarely the first choice to visit. The reason is that pizza in Japan is relatively expensive. On average, a slice will cost around $5 a slice or $20-$40 per pizza.
Here we present the five best pizza places in Tokyo that are sure to impress! Find the best Japanese-style pizza, fusion delights and deep dish pizza in Tokyo.
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Pizza Salvatore Cuomo
Created by Italian-Japanese chef and founder Salvatore Cuomo, this is one of the best pizza places around Tokyo. They deliver and serve in the restaurant. Pizza Salvatore Cuomo is an excellent introduction for you to get an idea of pizza in Japan.
For its aesthetic and presentation of pizzas, this chain is known for its Italian-named pizzas like Quattro Formaggi, Margherita and Alla Diavola. They have many branches all over Tokyo and most pizzas delivered come with an optional flaky pepper packet. These add more flavour to a customer's pizza.
With its great crust and delicious but straightforward marinara base, it's a well-balanced pizza for anyone wanting to dig into it!
Pizza Salvatore Cuomo
Toyosu Center Building Annex 1F, 3-3-9 Toyosu, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 〒135-6090
800° Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria
Passing by this restaurant, you will always notice a queue 800° Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria - and for a good reason.
Surprisingly, this chain originated in LA in 2012 by chef and founder, Anthony Carson who first opened 800° Degrees. Then the first Japanese branch opened.
800° Degrees is notorious for allowing customers to customise the base, flavour and toppings of a pizza. The range of toppings goes from spicy salami to zucchini. It differs from the likes of other American chain branches in Tokyo. Because it does not have that cheesy and thick dough taste that you would identify with American or American-Italian pizza.
In addition, it also does not have any set pizzas apart from a seasonal edition. So customers are encouraged to make their own. The portions are a little smaller than other chains. Still, it is all handmade from scratch and presented beautifully to satisfy any customer.
800° Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria
5-24-55 NEWoMan Shinjuku 2F Ekisoto, Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo, 〒160-0022
Pizza Slice
Locals could praise Pizza Slice to the heavens and back. Founded by Hiroki Sarumaru, it's a highly recommended pizzeria that lives up to its simple name. Locals know it as not a Japanese-style pizza place, but probably the best American-style pizza in Tokyo.
From the moment anyone takes a bite out of one of their 20" New York-style pizza slices, you will keep going back for more. There's a variety of slices to enjoy and devour, such as jalapeño, Italian sausage, cheese and pepperoni.
For its excellent quality of pizza, great service and locations in Shibuya, Omotesando, and now Roppongi, Pizza Slice could easily be at the forefront of pizza around Japan in the next few years if they expand outside the capital.
Pizza Slice
3 Chome-14-17 Minamiaoyama, 港区 Minato City, Omotesando, Tokyo, 〒107-0062
Rocco's
Down the backstreets of Oji is Rocco's, a small pizza restaurant founded by New Yorker Dan and his wife, Keiko. They created pizza pies as their signature dish.
Rocco's opened in 2010 and is known for being one of Tokyo's oldest New York-style pizzerias. Rocco's gives the choice of ordering a slice or an 18" pizza and serves a wide range of toppings such as eggplants, scallops and even a Mexican-style pizza.
In addition, they offer tasty sides and drinks to go with your pizza, such as stromboli, New York cheesecake and buffalo wings.
While enjoying their pizza, customers can also enjoy watching American football on channels like the NFL every day. In addition, every table has a Tabasco sauce giving that New York atmosphere that the pizzeria wants to present. It's a must to go if you're ever looking for a pizza to enjoy around the Northern part of Tokyo!
Rocco's
1-1-24 Oji-Honcho Kita-ku, Tokyo, 〒114-0022
Pizza-La
Pizza-La is another infamous pizza chain that locals can consider one of Tokyo's best pizza chains. Hidenori Asano founded Pizza-La in 1987, which the ET movie inspired him. Since then, it has become the second-highest-grossing pizza chain in the country.
What's interesting about the chain is how they throw a lot of toppings on the pizza. For example, take a look at their Demon Slayer's Pizza Pack. The dish consists of mayonnaise cheese sauce, mentaiko potato, mochi and additional toppings. All these flavours will give you an odd but delicious taste!
With its growing popularity and various ingredients, Pizza-La is a pizza chain that will not disappoint you in taste and service!
Pizza-La
7 Chome-9-15 Park Heights Tsukiji 1F, Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo,〒104-0045
Best Pizza in Tokyo
If you're a pizza enthusiast in Tokyo, we hope this guide on the best pizza in the city has inspired you. So go out there and grab a slice!
Next up, find out some fun facts about pizza which we bet you didn't know!
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