Job Discussion Forums

Trumpcard · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 50

If Shakeys in Tokyo is anything like the one in Osaka, then go only if you`re famished. Its utter garbage. Not sure if the La Pausa chain is in Tokyo, but there margharita is ok. And for the record, next week Ill be sitting back In Lygon Street or perhaps at Toppolinos in Fitzroy Street eating THE BEST pizza in the world!

Eva Pilot · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:21 am Post subject:

The only pizza place I know of out here where I am is the Chicago Pizza House. I haven't tried them out yet though.

Family Mart Combination Pizza is always a good and easy snack though. Laughing

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

I'm a pizza fanatic, and when I got to Japan, was really disappointed with the stuff in my city. Not only was it lousy pizza, but they were charging something like 3000 (30bucks!) for the equivalent of a medium pie back home. Fvck that noise.

I've been making pizza from scratch for years, and decided to continue after getting to Japan; I helld pizza/wine nights at my place, and I cooked the pizza the right way. I've gotten so good at fine tuning my recipe that I never bother ordering out anymore. I even held Cooking Pizza in English for my adult eikaiwa classes, and I also made it once at my public school with my entire junior high English class, thanks to a JTE who is somewhat unconventional and loves cooking. What a hoot.

Anyway, the bottom line is that you can make excellent pizza from scratch (crust and sauce), for under 1000 Yen (and a batch makes a couple large pies at least). You can do this, ie, if you have an actual kitchen and oven. I've used toaster ovens in small apartments, and it cooks well in those, just a matter of cooking a pile of small pizzas.

If you absolutely must order out, I thought the so-called "Chicago Pizza" chain around Tokyo wasn't entirely bad the one time I had it. Yet, it was hardly anything resembling actual Chicago-style pizza.

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

I used to live in the south of Italy where the pizza was great, but having moved here the only real complaints about pizza I have from their so called 'Italian' restaurants (aside from the dodgy toppings) is the size. Ok, and the thickness.

On the other hand, back in England I was a fan of the all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut buffet lunches, and I'm seriously disappointed with the quality of these here. Cardboardy, overpriced, undersized. In fact, aside from half price days (I think 8,9,10th of each month) I'd rather go without.

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Maybe you're hitting the cheap places. Look for places that hire Italians and Japanese trained in Italy (yes, you can find these places, but they of course are not chain outfits).

My wife also makes pizza, and yes, it is much cheaper, but I wouldn't say it is always as good as the stuff you order (but more cheesy). Razz