Call Me Ten unveils a new menu inspired by Japan’s most unexpected culinary obsession Japan’s best-kept culinary secret isn’t sushi. It’s pizza
July 03: For decades, Japan has shaped the world’s imagination through sushi, ramen and omakase. But beyond the Michelin starred counters and bustling ramen bars lies another story, quietly unfolding in Tokyo’s neighbourhood izakayas, hidden pizzerias and late night eateries. Here, pizza is not an import. It is an obsession. Defined by slow fermented doughs, exceptional ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship and an unwavering pursuit of perfection, Japan has redefined one of Italy’s greatest culinary exports into a movement entirely its own.
During a recent journey through Japan, co-founder Karann R. Chawla discovered one of the country’s best kept culinary secrets. Tokyo alone is home to more than 1,400 pizzerias, many with queues stretching well beyond their doors, drawing diners eager to experience what has become one of the world’s most celebrated pizza cultures. At the heart of these restaurants are blazing wood fired ovens, slow fermented doughs, carefully managed hydration, exceptional seasonal ingredients, and flavour combinations featuring everything from miso and yuzu to mushrooms and seafood. Every pizza emerges from the oven with the same discipline, artistry, precision, and attention to detail that define Japanese cuisine. It was this contemporary expression of Japan’s evolving food culture that inspired the newest chapter of Call Me Ten’s menu.
At the heart of this evolution is the introduction of Izakaya Style Pizzettas, the restaurant’s newest hero category and a tribute to one of Japan’s most exciting culinary phenomena. While rooted in the foundations of Italian pizza making, Japan’s interpretation embraces bold umami, seasonal ingredients, meticulous craftsmanship, and unexpected flavour pairings that reflect the country’s evolving food culture. Rather than simply recreating a classic, these pizzettas are viewed through a distinctly Japanese lens, where every flavour is thoughtfully layered and every ingredient has a purpose.
From the earthy richness of Mushroom & Truffle with garlic soy butter, to the bright citrus notes of Artichoke with Yuzu & Pesto, the indulgent Four Cheese Umami finished with miso honey, and the bold heat of Gochujang Chicken, each pizzetta celebrates the creativity, precision, and fearless experimentation that have made Japan’s pizza culture one of the most admired in the world. Every bite is familiar enough to comfort, yet unexpected enough to surprise.
The new menu continues that journey through the many flavours shaping modern Japan today. Guests can discover comforting bowls Chintan Ramen, savour Inari Sushi a beloved staple of neighbourhood izakayas experience contemporary duck dishes and vibrant seafood creations, and explore the Japanese-Peruvian Udon Carbonara, inspired by the remarkable culinary dialogue between Japan, Peru and Italy that continues to redefine global gastronomy.
The meal concludes on a note of comfort, familiarity and indulgence with a dessert selection inspired by timeless classics. From the richness of Basque Cheesecake and Tiramisu to the lightness of Tres Leches and the indulgence of a warm Brownie Skillet, each dessert brings together the perfect finale to the Call Me Ten experience which lingers long after the last bite.
More than a menu refresh, this marks a new chapter for Call Me Ten. It is a celebration of the Japan that exists beyond convention, a Japan that embraces tradition while constantly reinventing it; a Japan where cultures, ingredients and ideas intersect to create something entirely new. Every dish reflects that spirit of discovery, inviting guests to look beyond the expected and experience the country through a more contemporary lens.
This is our interpretation of Japan today. Rooted in tradition. Shaped by travel. Constantly evolving. Welcome to the new Call Me Ten.