Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato, in Ikuno, Osaka

It is one of my many responsibilities as the Official Hakujin Pizza Czar of Japan to seek out and find the best pizza in Osaka.  In joyful accordance with my Czar-ly duties, I am very pleased to share this review of Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato, on the border of Ikuno-ku, Osaka, Japan.

First, a warning: Craft Beer & Pizza in Imazato only makes pizza a few days a week. They also make burgers – sometimes. To know what is on the menu, go check out his Instagram.

And now, here is the shop: A bohemian portal into the craft beer experience, and yes, to a kind of pizza paradise.

If you have read my reviews of pizza restaurants in Osaka, you know that I am not overly fond of the floppy-crusted Neapolitan style pizza.  If you happen to like that style – you are in luck, because those pizza are everywhere.  But if you’re the kind of pizza hound that wants more than just another generic Margarita Napolitano pizza, and if you’re ready for one of the most fantastic pizzas in Osaka, you must go check out what Matt has going on at his pizza shop in Imazato.

There is more to Imazato’s Craft Beer & Pizza, but let’s not bury the lede: Take a look at that pizza. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

Does it seem different?  That is because it is. We’ll say more about the pizza below, but first, let’s talk about the beer.

In a perfect world, when you show up to Imazato Craft Beer & Pizza you’ll take a look around, sit down, and order a beer.  Even if you order the pizza and beer at the same time, the beer mostly likely comes out first.  So let’s talk about the beer first.

This is a craft beer joint.

Matt is from Oregon.  That is in the United States.  The Japanese like to call the United States – “America.”  On a map, the America is to the right of the Japan.  Across the blue part.  No, not Hawaii (which is the US, but it’s not really what we’re talking about).  Keep going.  It’s that big country that wears Canada like a hat.

Anyway… Oregon (on the west coast of the United States) is one of the good states that really loves beer.  And when Matt came to Japan (many years ago) from Oregon, he brought some real beer-enthusiasm and passion for real craft beer.

Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato has several choices on tap.

Does he have IPAs? Yes he does.  I wanted something a little different, so I went for that “hoppy lager,” the Yanagiba (from Blade Factory Brewing, in Gifu Japan).  It was a perfect start to my night, and set me up to be ready for the pizza.  I asked for a recommendation for my second beer, and he suggested the Gyuto (also from Blade).

Now… let’s get back to the pizza.

Another warning (in case you’re skimmer): Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato does not make pizza every night. They do not. On the week I visited his shop, pizza was only available on Thursday and Friday night. That’s it. (And while he does burgers as well, he doesn’t do burgers on pizza nights.)  Check his Instrgram to see what is available and when.

On the night I arrived, the Craft Beer and Pizza Imazato pizza menu was freshly printed.  It offered a whole pizza (at a very good price), then pizza by the slice, and also some Detroit-style pizza (also, by the slice).  There were some photos of the pizza out in front of the shop, and I have to say, that the actually pizza was much more attractive than the pics on the sign outside. Don’t be fooled. Go inside, have a beer – see for yourself.

I first heard about Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato on a reddit thread.  And what I remembered was “Chicago” pizza (not “Detroit”), and that he only does pizza a few nights a week.  I knew if I wanted to get my pizza going, I had to get the right night.  I was right about that… but the Detroit style was a surprise.

The actual kind of pizza Matt likes to make changes a lot.  Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato has in fact done Chicago style before – but Matt says that pizza is so heavy (because of all the cheese, and he’s right about that), so he likes Detroit-style better for a night out for beers. He has done his Detroit pizza in a round format. He has done German-inspired pizza. He’s done pepperoni and pickles. It’s that kind of place.

Above and beyond the “Detroit” distinction, the “Spice Curry” may be a more important factor as to what make Imazato’s premier pizza place sing:

“Osaka is famous for its spice curry, I figured it would meld well with the cheese.”
— Matt, Craft Beer and Pizza Imazato

I love to ask for a recommendation. That night I said, “So… what are we having?”  I made it “dealer ‘schoice.”  Matt asked me if I was okay w/ some spice curry? That is “yes,” Sir.  And a little bit of jalapeno? Another “yes.”  That led to his recommendation of his Detroit slice (I got the last one of the night, from the corner of rectangular pan).  This particularly night, it was Detroit-style dough with the Indian spiced flavor, and pepperoni, and jalapeno, and… fresh basil on top (presumably tossed on after it was cooked?).

It was… fantastic.  Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.  That is, without a doubt, one of the best pizzas in Osaka.  Original, yes (which is nice, but not that important to me), and more importantly… decidedly delicious.

I saw what looked like “burnt” corners on my slice, and I thought it might be dry… but is was amazing.  That dough is springing and buttery.  Not all the way to focaccia, but similar (in my opinion, and I am the Pizza Czar of Japan, so listen up).

His more traditional pepperoni slice was a good time, and solid pizza slice, one of the best in the city as well – but, not on the level of that Indian-spiced Detroit banger.

There was a poster for a similar creation with chicken.  I bet it is also quite special.  I am not overly into pepperoni, but I was this time.  I bet all the Detroit varieties are all very, very good.

Because Matt was so cool, and easy to talk to, I wanted to ask about his dough.  Was he doing a quick, three-hour, “same day” dough?  Oh, heeeeeelll no.

The bread is a lot of work, he says. The pizza dough at Craft Beer & Pizza Imazato is made two or three days in advance. That is indeed days, in advance. If you’re a bread guy, you know “time” is an ingredient (or it can be, and often is).

The Imazato pizza pub is a very real, down-to-earth, neighborhood hangout, that makes excellent pizza.  It may be a “gaijin” bar, but it wasn’t the night I was there. Lots of local people. Very comfortable. Matt does bingo nights (did he say “bingo?,” I think he did); he says he likes to bring people together.  The layout of the shop is open, and spacious.  You could socialize and mix it up.  He has a big PA system and a set of drums in the corner – so you know there is live music. I could say more.

(Reminds me of Harry’s Sandwiches in Tokyo – which also has drinks + excellent food – Harry makes a bell-ringer of a sando – and a strong community hang-out vibe.)

Big fan. Will go back. Highly recommended.

For more Osaka Pizza see:

— Chuo-ku’s Critter’s Pizza makes the best Napolitano pizza in Osaka
— Nipponbashi’s A PIZZA in Chuo-ku
— Pizza Bar Full House in Kita-ku
— NYC-style slices at Hughes Pizza in Kita-ku
— More slices at Henry’s Pizza in Chuo-ku
— That’s Pizza in Nishi-ku
— Pizza in Taisho at Pizzeria da Dots in Taisho-ku
— Drunk Bears Pizza in Kita-ku
— The Goofy’s Pizza in Kita-ku
— For a fancy pizza, see Dal Donnaiolo in Nishitenma in Kita-ku
— Pizzeria da Tigre in Shinmachi in Nishi-ku
— Regalo Pizzeria in Fukushima