Pizzeria e Braceria L’insieme

The Kameido area of Tokyo might be best known for the Kameido Tenjin Shrine, and its famous spring wisteria, but it also happens to be home to another holy site, sacred to pizza fans all over the world: Pizzeria e Braceria L’insieme. A regular feature in the Michelin Guide Tokyo, this Neapolitan-style pizzeria has been attracting attention with its truly excellent pizza. Made with special flour from Italy, the dough is simultaneously light and chewy, and has a wonderful smoky flavor after being baked in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven — marked with the restaurant’s name spelled out in mosaic tile. Margherita is the standard by which all Neapolitan pizzerias are judged, and L’insieme is not found wanting in this regard. But the hot favorite is the L’insieme, named after the restaurant, which is a simple combination of arugula, shaved parmesan and smoked provola cheese. Those looking for something more “out there” should try the aptly named Americana: a white pizza loaded with mozzarella, sausage and French fries. Not only has L’insieme held a Bib Gourmand since 2018, but it has received several other accolades: Italian pizza authority 50 Top Pizza ranked it 15th in Asia and 97th in the world in 2022, while 2023 saw its ranking leap to 23rd and 62nd respectively. Perhaps the most interesting part about this is that in spite of all these accolades, Chef Matsumaru Shunsuke has never trained in Italy. After graduating from culinary school, he spent the next 13 years training in some of Tokyo’s best Italian restaurants, before opening L’insieme. Michelin Guide: 2018 - Bib Gourmand