Food & Wine

What is Tokyo-style pizza? Why you’re about to see it everywhere in the US

Food & Wine

What is Tokyo-style pizza? Why you’re about to see it everywhere in the US

From Tokyo institutions to Manhattan pop-ups, this pizza style is gaining a global following.

Tokyo is redefining the global pizza landscape by blending traditional Neapolitan techniques with a Japanese obsession for precision, quality, and local terroir. Characterized by a light, airy, and long-fermented dough, this style—pioneered by legendary spots like Seirinkan and Pizza Stralla—often utilizes Japanese flour and a distinct "salt-forward" profile achieved through heavy seasoning of the oven floor. While it respects Italian roots, the movement is defined by artisanal craft and an adventurous use of regional toppings like shiso, yuzu kosho, and seasonal seafood, resulting in a product that many connoisseurs now argue surpasses the original pizzas of Naples. By prioritizing the harmony of high-end ingredients and meticulous temperature control, Tokyo’s pizzaiolos have transformed a humble street food into a sophisticated culinary export that is currently influencing chefs from New York to London.

Article author:

Caroline Shin

Photo credit:

Courtesy of Pizza Studio Tamaki