8 pizzerias in Tokyo to eat at when you're tired of Japanese food

Best known to the global masses for its starring role in the very first episode of Ugly Delicious, Seirinkan is one of the most popular pizza joints in Tokyo. Indecisive diners who typically take forever to figure out what to order will be spared here – there are only two types of pizza available: margherita, which is topped with tomato, mozzarella and basil, and marinara, which comes with tomato, garlic and oregano.

Seirinkan is at 2 Chome-6-4, Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo, +81 3-3714-5160. Visit its website for more information.

This award-winning pizza parlour is headed by an owner who hails from the Italian city of Naples – widely regarded as the birthplace of pizza – so you know you’ll be in for some delicious pies. Try their signature Pizza Don Salvo. The crust is crammed with spicy salami and ricotta before being folded into eight pointed sections, while the centre of the pizza keeps things simple with tomato, mozzarella, parmesan and basil.

Pizzeria da Peppe Napoli Sta’ Ca” has multiple locations in Tokyo.

Situated within the luxe Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, The Pizza Bar on 38th boasts multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand mentions and is ranked among the world’s top pizzerias. If you’re here for lunch, sample the Bufala (tomato, fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil) or the Diavola (tomato, fior di latte, rocket and your choice of spicy soppressata or salami). Evening diners can request for the special omakase menu to try eight different kinds of pizza.

The Pizza Bar on 38th is at 2 Chome-1-1, Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo, +81 3-3270-8188. Visit its website for more information.

With its casual ambience, Pizza Strada makes for an ideal spot for a quick and easy lunch. The menu features a gamut of items to suit just about every palate. Purists can opt for the classic margherita or marinara, while meat lovers may want to get the pepperoni or wagyu (available with either a tomato or cheese base). There’s also an olive pizza crowned with olives, cherry tomatoes and garlic, alongside seasonal specials.

Pizza Strada is at 3 Chome-6-2, Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo, +81 3-6435-1944. Visit its website.

Another of Tokyo’s well-regarded pizzerias is Pizza Studio Tamaki, which has outposts in Higashiazabu and Roppongi. Their Neapolitan-style pies sport a chewy, airy dough and a perfectly mottled crust from the high heat of the wood-fired oven. Besides their namesake pizza (cherry tomatoes, smoked mozzarella, pecorino and basil), they also make versions with ingredients such as buffalo mozzarella, sausage and ‘nduja.

Pizza Studio Tamaki as multiple locations in Tokyo. Visit its website for more information.

At the cosy Pizzeria e Braceria L’Insieme, you’ll discover a range of flavourful pies made using pizza flour imported from Italy. Order the traditional Margherita or marinara pie to appreciate the stellar dough in all its glory. Alternatively, go ahead and kick things up a notch with the Cicinielli (tomato sauce, whitebait, garlic and oregano) or the Calabrese (mozzarella, green chillies, fried eggplant, spicy salami and sausage).

Pizzeria e Braceria L’Insieme is at 1 Chome-31-7, Kameido, Koto City, Tokyo, +81 3-5858-9713. Visit its website for more information.

If you’re traipsing around Tokyo on a budget but still want to savour high-quality pizzas, Savoy doles out one of the more affordable – and downright delectable – options in town. Their lunch set consists of a salad, your pick of a margherita or marinara pizza and a drink. Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari has dubbed this the best pizza he’s ever had, so why not come for yourself to see what all the fuss is about?

Savoy has multiple locations in Tokyo.

The extensive queue of eager customers outside this pizza restaurant is rivalled by the scope of its offerings, which feature over two dozen types of pies. For something different from the usual margherita or marinara, consider the Capricciosa (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, ham, olives, mushrooms and artichokes) or the Maestro Kitano (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, ham, spicy salami and gorgonzola).

Pizzeria e Trattoria Da Isa is at 1 Chome-28, Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo, +81 3-5768-3739. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.