Earlier this winter, Quail Street flocked to Japan. That may seem like an interesting destination for a pizza dough company, but there's no shortage of Japanese pizza masters—especially when it comes to a Neapolitan pie.
Tucked into cozy dining rooms, we sampled many a wood-fired pizza. Each was unique and all were exceptional.
What sets them apart? Japan's top pizzaiolo value two things above all else: mastering basic techniques and making high quality ingredients shine. It's simple, yet far from easy. The results are extraordinary and unlike anything else out there.
It reminded us why we focus on dough at Quail Street. When you appreciate the complexity of something that others gloss over, you can create something entirely new.
Here's a quick rundown of our favorites.
MONK | KYOTO
If you've seen Chef's Table: Pizza, then this spot's on your map. We loved Monk's dining experience as a tribute to seasonality and the whims of fermentation. Return the next day and you'll get an entirely different meal.
PIZZA HARUYA | TESHIMA
These super soft and chewy pies are slung from a tiny truck overlooking the sea on Teshima, a small island filled with art. The carbonara featured Japanese corn, which is incredibly flavorful and lightly sweet.
PIZZA MARUMO | TOKYO
The "Japanese umami" pie is a beautiful showcase of quintessential Japanese flavors on top of an impeccably baked crust. "This pizza represents my life" says Chef Yuki Motokura.
PIZZA STUDIO TAMAKI (PST) | TOKYO
Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST) salts the underside of their pies when they go into the oven. It's a clever way to season crust, since mixing too much salt into a dough can affect fermentation and gluten development.
SEIRINKAN | TOKYO
There are only 3 pizzas on the menu, but you only need to order one. Every element of the marinara pie at Seirinkan is the platonic ideal. If you tried marinara pizza and didn't like it, you probably didn't have a good one.
UPDATES
Find us at The Bake Shop in Park City!
We're thrilled to partner with the Bake Shop to offer Park City customers a year-round spot to buy our pizza dough, alongside their freshly baked sourdough breads and pastries!
Find our pizza kits at Millcreek Mercantile!
We are so excited to offer our artisan pizza kits for you to enjoy on a cozy night in or to give as a gift. Find them exclusively at the new Mercantile at Millcreek Common. Each kit includes:
2 of our sourdough pizza doughs ☁️
1 container of our hand-crushed tomato sauce 🍅
1 bottle of our basil finishing oil* 🌿
Kits are vegan.