I balked when a friend suggested that we have pizza in Kyoto. The thought of giving up one precious Kyoto experience for an Italian street food item elicited a reluctant agreement from me. But I had faith that my foodie friend knew better. And so it was – the best pizza I’ve ever had.

En Boca, with a branch each in Kyoto and Tokyo, is a gourmet pizzeria that uses the finest seasonal ingredients. Besides the traditional Italian choices (e.g. quattro formaggio), there are Japanese toppings to choose from. These include lotus root, chrysanthemum leaves and shirimi (marinated small shrimp). While I’ve had gourmet pizzas before, the big difference is that En Boca’s dough is incredibly airy but with just enough crustiness, not stodgy and not too thick. Apparently, En Boca sources it’s own blend of flour from the mills.

Our starters were good as well – a platter of Iberico ham and salami and the day’s fresh vegetables, roasted in the pizza oven. They also have grilled fish on the menu but I would say the pizza was the main highlight for me. We ended on a high note with a dessert pizza consisting of strawberries on a pizza base spread with condensed milk, roasted in the pizza oven, and sprinkled with icing sugar. It was so good, I didn’t take a picture.

Reservations are recommended and do ask to sit at the bar in front of where the chefs prepare the pizza. It’s fun to watch to get some inspiration for the toppings.

Reservations are recommended. En Boca’s Kyoto website (Japanese only): http://www.enboca.jp/kyoto/kyoto.html