Pizza is one of those rare dishes in Japan that does not taste good after being adapted to Japanese tastes. I like hambaagus, love Japanese curry and they're the experts on ramen...but pizza? Please put down the mayonnaise and cod roe and step away from the kitchen. There are of course exceptions and Seirinkan in Naka-Meguro is one of them. There are only two kinds of pizzas, so if you're looking for variety and toppings, this is not your place, but the two are authentic and more importantly, delicious. I prefer the Margherita to the Marinara, but they are simple and done to perfection.
It would be wrong of me to not mention the decor. For whatever reason, the restaurant is made up like a Soviet bunker down to the giant camouflage net covering the entrance. Pizza? Communist propaganda? What could be missing?
Dessert! I don't even know if Seirinkan has dessert but I would suggest skipping it if they do because there is a gem of a gelato shop right down the street that I always end my pizza meal with. CremAmore is a tiny shop/bar. You can buy a scoop from the window and take it to go, or join the locals inside for a drink and gelato. (Last time I was here, a woman went to sleep on the floor and the owner went upstairs and got her a blanket.) The shop owner is charming and sweet and will give samples of every flavor he has that day before he even asks for you order. The gelatos and sorbets and house made. My favorite is the strawberry gelato, which actually tastes like strawberries.
Perfectly executed pizza and gelato -- it is one of the most perfect meals in Tokyo.
Seirinkan
Kami-Meguro 2-6-4. Open 11:30am-2, 6-9:30pm (LO) daily.
CremAmore
Not sure the exact address, but if you come out of Seirinkan, go right and the shop will be right in front of you.
Nakameguro Station (Hibiya and Tokyo Toyoku)
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