Strawberry Cones Japanese Pizza & Pasta, San Gabriel

One last Japanese entry. Ninjya pizza from Strawberry Cones Japanese Pizza & Pasta in San Gabriel.

The charcoal pizza crust.


This place serves the strangest pizza. The crust is dark colored - a shade of gray. There is mochi, a form of rice, on the pizza. And the toppings on the pie I had included shrimp. Pizza in Japan, even though it may come from Dominos or Pizza Hut, have localized their servings to suit the native palate. Seafood pizza is quite popular there. And now, we see Japan-ized pizza to the American shores.

It isn't all that bad, but it just takes a bit of getting used to. If you are familiar with the Umami taste sensation, then you might be able to take on this. The combination of the different flavors creates almost that Umami taste. The crust, mixed with rice flout, is called bamboo charcoal 'chikutan'. The visuals of the gray off-color may be a bit disheartening, let alone the strange toppings of either shrimp, mochi, avocado, salmon, etc.

Our pizza had shrimp and some dried seaweed flakes. The crust was crunchy on the outside, yet soft and a bit chewy on the inside. The shrimp with the dried seaweed flakes glued together with the cheese - melted an acquired taste concoction.

I don't exactly think I can recommend this to just anyone. There are limitations to what people can take. But personally, I think I would try another combination, such as avocado and salmon.

I dare you to try the other pizzas.

Pizza crust mixed with rice flour.

Rating
1 pigs, $

Strawberry Cones Japanese Pizza & Pasta
227 W Valley Blvd
#118-B
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 293-1852
strawberrycones.com