Pizza in Japan? Is Pizza popular in Japan? What do they put on Japanese pizza? Find out everything about Japanese pizza here!
Explore the intriguing rise of pizza in Japan, where this beloved Italian dish receives a unique twist, blending international flavors with local ingredients.
This culinary crossover has soared in popularity, creating a fascinating fusion that resonates with the eclectic tastes of Japan's food enthusiasts.
Is Pizza Popular in Japan?
Pizza is incredibly popular in Japan. While they've adapted their own unique toppings and flavors (think mayonnaise and corn!), Japan has a thriving pizza scene with both American-style chains and authentic Italian pizzerias.
How Did Pizza Come To Japan?
Pizza came into Japan was world war II. In the 1950s, Nicola's and Antonio's were among the first restaurants in Japan to sell pizza, both named for their proprietors and were located in the Roppongi neighborhood of Tokyo.
In those early days, pizza was a premium item only available to outsiders & affluent Japanese.
But, after 1970, family-oriented franchise restaurants started to grow, providing a western menu and pizza that had become one of our most popular options.
And we had no look back after 1985 when Domino's began its pizza delivery in Japan, leading to the ultimate popularity of pizza in our country.
Because the Japanese pizzaiolos (pizza chefs) started to invent their creations & ensured the benchmark in pizza making & kept launching our own Japanese style pizza with unique toppings.
Now you must be interested in our Japanese pizza, right?
But, as there are lots of options available, which one should you go for first?
Well, it’s obvious that you should try the popular ones. So, now I will introduce you to some famous Japanese pizzas.
What Kind Of Pizza's Are Popular In Japan?
Teriyaki Chicken Pizza
It may not seem usual to you, but this has always been one of our all-time favorite pizza flavor combinations.
You can achieve a particular Japanese flavor from a pizza topped with grilled meat where sweetened soy sauce, mayonnaise, corn, and shredded nori seaweed are used as a seasoning.
I think you already can imagine the flavor blast it offers & why we run over this!
Chasu Pork Pizza
Chasu is a common element in Japanese-style Chinese cuisine, and it is based on Chinese char siu.
However, it occasionally occurs on Japanese pizza, creating an unforgettable Asian-Italian sync.
On the pizza, the pork is usually complemented by miso sauce, cheese, Japanese leek, fried egg, and shredded nori seaweed, resulting in a unique flavor combination that gained a massive eminence from us.
Sakura Shrimp Pizza
Our Japanese pizzaiolos lift the pizza to a first-class level by adding asparagus & smoked cheese over a tomato base.
Every day, millions of people enjoy eating this pizza, and no one wants to miss out on the opportunity to experience the most sought-after Sakura shrimp pizza.
Oyster Pizza
Have you ever heard about the superb delicacy of Japanese oysters?
If not, I am here to enlighten you.
It's a kind of a twist that will satisfy your tastebud whether you eat it raw, steamed, boiled, or fried.
Now, imagine putting it on your pizza before baking?
Those who have never loved oysters before will fall in love with them after trying this demanding pizza.
I have attached a video for your convenience!
Pizza Toast
Pizza toast is a popular breakfast option for the Japanese people.
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Japanese moms often make this quick, easy & flavorful breakfast for their kids or sometimes serve them to the guest as it's an easy to make snack.
So, as I previously stated, we have our own kind of Japanese pizza that differs significantly from Italian or American pizza, and there are several flavors and toppings that foreigners may find a bit weird.
But, we Japanese people enjoy them to the fullest that you can't imagine.
Squid Ink Pizza
The combination of pitch-black squid ink, tomato sauce, and squid itself makes for an intriguing visual as well as a gustatory pleasure with a genuine fishy flavor.
It is featured in both Japanese and Italian cuisines, so this bizarre Japanese pizza might be more authentic than you think!
You can watch the video below.
Natto Pizza
We get the most taste out of the dish when bacon, maize, cheese, and shredded nori seaweed are added.
However, knowing about our interests, the next one may cause you to cringe.
Let's see what it is.
Bitter Melon Pizza
I know you never knew a pizza could be topped with a bitter component.
Right?
But the goya's (bitter melon) summer squash soothes us & its astringent flavor is an excellent counterpoint to fatty & creamy savors.
Basically, we accompany the goya with bacon & cheese with soya sauce drizzling.
More items are added - prosciutto ham, miso, and mozzarella, making it more widespread.
So, don't forget to try once to check why the Japanese admire this pizza.
Gyoza Skin Pizza
We never throw out leftover gyoza sheets.
We simply put two slices of gyoza skin together using tomato ketchup as glue.
Then we spread tomato ketchup, cheese, ham, and any convenient toppings.
After that, it's grilled until the cheese is melted.
You may find this video useful.
See, what seems unusual to you offers us a mouthful evening treat!
Another simple yet sweet pizza is what I will wrap up with the Japanese-style pizza!
Dessert Pizza
There are many Japanese desserts to make at home & almost every item you can think of can be found on a dessert pizza.
Ice cream, any fruit available, and marshmallows are just a few examples.
And dessert pizzas are outstanding in any manner you slice them.
So above are the pizzas that are responsible for gaining its popularity in Japan.
Then, comes about our very own toppings which make the pizzas look alluring & attract the Japanese to have a pizza feast.
Let's see the specialty of the toppings.
What Are Popular Toppings on Japanese Pizza?
Mayonnaise
Mayo's admiration stretches far beyond salad dressings and chicken fingers extending into the hallowed territory in Japan & it's indeed a trendy pizza topping here.
A typical Japanese pizza features a genuine grid of Mayo, with horizontal and vertical lines that crisscross back and forth, providing extensive coverage & a moisty savor.
Those who aren’t already mayoras (mayonnaise fans), one bite of this might be enough to convert them!
Corn
After hearing about it, I know you will think it's sweet, pairs well with salad, and has a pleasant texture as a perfect top.
But, like many others, you may not believe that corn has a special place on pizza!
However, in Japan, corn is considered an extremely popular & delicious topping on pizza.
And you will find it appearing on a large number of pizzeria menus.
I will suggest you try our corn pizza at least once on your next Japan trip & thank me later.
Miso
If you have ever been to Japanese restaurants, you might be familiar with the miso paste used in miso soup making.
And as it's one of the most common ingredients in Japanese cuisine, it's no wonder that it found its way into pizzas too.
The wide range of flavors, from light and sweet to strong and salty, has gained popularity in Japan.
Bamboo Shoots
Wanna know about a fun addition to pizza?
Well, I am talking about bamboo shoots used here in a variety of meals, mainly in the fall.
Every bite of pizza offers a satisfying crunch when we use it on the top.
It's often paired with other traditional fall items like mushrooms & makes our Japanese pizza unique & full of flavor.
Mentaiko
Usually, the marinated cod roe or pollack roe is called mentaiko.
Besides any other Japanese Wafu dishes ( Japanese style) like pasta, It creates no minor harmony with pizza
The mentaiko can be put on the pizza crust like tomato sauce or blended into a sauce to drizzle over the top.
The salty & seafood essence will never fail to amaze you & persuade you to have them packed to your tummy.
Mushroom
Though mushroom is not uncommon as a pizza top in Japan, have you ever tried shimeji or maitake?
They are types of Japanese mushrooms, and you will be stunned by how different pizza may taste just by changing the type of mushroom you put on top!
Shimeji will give you a delicious nutty flavor & maitake will appear with a strong earthy & peppery flavor that I can guarantee you will love to taste!
Now, tell me, have you ever tried this meal here in Japan? Then, you must have noticed that they're kinda expensive.
But, what’s the reason behind this high cost? Well, you will get the answer in my next segment.
What Are The Most Popular Pizza Chains In Japan
In Japan, pizza delivery is fairly prevalent & the pizza chains offer flavor customization sometimes at an affordable cost.
So, now I'll talk about the four leading contenders in the Japanese pizza market.
Dominoes
Dominoes, Japan's largest pizza chain, delivers some of the most hearty, meat-laden pizzas on the market.
They provide 42 distinct pizza tastes and toppings, all of which are unique to try!
They often provide a two-for-one deal, which helps to make the price appear more affordable.
Official Website: https://www.dominos.jp/en
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut has been a part of Japan's culture for over 40 years, with 370 locations that include both equity and sub-franchisee businesses.
Among major pizza companies, it has also been a market leader in Japan's delivery pizza sector.
Pizza Hut's menu is the most "familiar" in terms of toppings and textures, making it a favorite choice among all.
Those who love sauce will love trying pizzas from them.
You may check their official website.
Now I will name two local pizza chains that made pizza easily accessible to us.
Pizza La
Pizza La is a 20-year-old Japanese enterprise in the area.
They have a large selection of toppings and are said to be the only spot in Hawaii where pineapple fans can get their fix.
You can visit their official site for more information.
Aoki's Pizza
Aoki's is perhaps the best option if you're looking for an authentic Japanese pizza experience.
They're a fantastic opportunity to test out unusual delivery pizza in Japan, with high-quality ingredients and a wide variety to select from.
Here is the official site.
So these are the pizza chains that make our life less complicated & serve as a savior for an upcoming pizza party.
And that's all I had to share with you today.
Why is pizza so expensive in Japan?
The reason why Pizza is so expensive in Japan is that cheese is expensive to import to Japan. Plus, the labor in Japan is not cheap. Other than that, Japan has some of the highest taxes globally (including sales taxes), making every bite we take more expensive.
When did pizza become popular in Japan?
The first pizzeria in Japan was established in 1954 by Nicola Zappetti. Pizza then became famous in Japan among youngsters in the late 50s.
In the mid-1960s, a company called JC Cosma imported frozen pizza dough. The next year Japan saw a rise in Japan’s own pizza factories.
The 1970s in Japan saw a boom of family chain restaurants open in Japan with western menus - and this included pizzas!
Dominoes in Japan, in the year 1985, started delivery service, which contributed further to its popularity!
What do they put on pizza in Japan?
Seafood pizza toppings are most popular in Japan - this includes - crab, shrimp, cod roe, lobster, anchovies, and salmon. Mayo Jaga is another popular pizza topping in Japan which is a mixture of mayonnaise, potato, and bacon.
How much is a pizza in yen?
In Japan, a large pizza can cost around 4000 yen and a medium pizza cost 2000 yen. But based on the toppings you use, a pizza in Japan can cost anywhere between 1000 yen to 5000 yen. When compared to dollars.
Conclusion
If you are ever asked, is pizza popular in Japan?
You have many more things to explain with popular pizza toppings, popular & odd pizza, the expense of pizza & few pizza chains which made pizza popular in our country.
So when you come to Japan just keep calm & eat pizza.
Till then, have a good day!
