How to Eat Authentic Italian Pizza the Right Way｜Tips from Naples to Tokyo
Italian pizza is perfect for sharing with friends and family in a fun, lively setting. Recently, more and more restaurants are serving pizza in the traditional Italian style.
This time, we visited the popular Tokyo Ebisu restaurant Antica Pizzeria Da Michele to learn how to enjoy pizza the smart, authentic Italian way—using a knife and fork!
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【Advised by】Antica Pizzeria Da Michele Ebisu
Table of Contents
Cut into 4 Pieces
A piping hot large pizza straight from a traditional oven imported from Naples. You can almost feel the heat!
This time, we tried the classic Margherita from Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Ebisu. It’s a whopping 35cm in diameter! Regulars usually eat one whole pizza by themselves. It pairs perfectly with beer or wine!
In Japanese restaurants, pizzas are usually served pre-sliced in a radial pattern, but in Italy, it’s common for the pizza to be served whole without being cut.
Once the pizza is on the table, grab your knife and fork and start cutting. To keep the slices even, start by cutting it in half.
After cutting it in half, cut again to make 4 equal slices. If you’re sharing with others, you can cut it into more pieces depending on the number of people or plate size, but the staff recommends four slices for the best experience.
We cut it into 4 pieces first, then further halved them to make 8 slices for easier sharing based on the plate size.
Transfer to Your Plate
Slide your slice of pizza onto your own plate. The key is to move quickly. Without knowing the custom, you might be tempted to pick it up and eat with your hands — but here, let’s go with the traditional Italian style.
Once it’s on your plate, cut it into bite-sized pieces using a knife and fork. In Italy, many people eat their pizza entirely without using their hands. Freshly baked pizza with melty mozzarella is simply irresistible.
Slice Thin and Roll Up
This next method is a bit more advanced. Start by cutting each of the 4 slices into long, narrow strips.
We usually imagine pizza cut in radial slices, so this method is quite surprising! It’s something you wouldn’t know unless someone taught you!
Once you have long strips of dough, use your knife and fork to roll them up. Once you can do this — congratulations, you’re officially an Italian foodie!
Take a bite and enjoy the mozzarella and tomato sauce bursting from the chewy dough. The rolled-up method is truly magical!
Spice It Up with Chili Oil
Once you’ve eaten a bit, add the chili oil served with your pizza for a spicy twist. The hint of heat is the perfect contrast to the rich mozzarella.
Of course, eating with your hands is perfectly fine too. Sinking your teeth into a big slice is one of the best things about pizza!
Leave the Crust for Last?
And now for a bonus tip. Start by eating only the sauced part of the pizza, leaving the crust behind.
Wondering if the crust gets left behind? Don’t worry. Cut it into bite-sized pieces afterward.
You can dip the crust in chili oil, or if you’ve ordered appetizers, use their sauces. Finish your meal by soaking up the remaining oil or sauce with the crust — a perfect end to a perfect bite!
Italian pizza goes great with Italian beer! Next time you share a pizza with friends or family, try these knife and fork techniques — they might just be amazed and say, “I never knew you could eat it that way!”
The first Japanese branch of a historic pizzeria founded in 1870 in Naples, Italy. To faithfully recreate the authentic flavors of Naples, everything—from ingredients to the pizza oven—is imported directly from Italy. The main menu features two classic options: Margherita and Marinara, along with limited-time seasonal offerings that change throughout the year.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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