Japanese pizza has been around for some time, but recently it has attracted a lot of attention in the United States. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most popular types of “fusion” foods today. Japanese pizza is similar to American pizza, but there are a number of interesting differences that set it apart from its Western counterpart. The main distinction between Japanese pizza and American pizza is found in the sauce. The sauce for Japanese pizza is usually thicker than what American pizzeria uses to make their pies, and the cheese often contains ingredients like tofu and seaweed.

While pizza wasn’t invented in Japan, it’s been a personal favorite of mine for quite some time. Especially when I use my own homemade pizza dough recipe and toppings like salami or prosciutto. While making it at home isn’t difficult, it takes a lot of time. And if you want to make it quickly, then a countertop pizza oven is recommended.

Ingredients and Preparation of Japanese Pizza

Japanese pizza is a Japanese dish made from thin noodles and vegetables topped with seafood, meat or vegetables. The dough is usually prepared in advance and then cooked by baking it in a hot oven. It can be eaten hot or cold.

Ingredients for Japanese Pizza:

Okonomiyaki batter (recipe given below)

Vegetables such as onions, carrots, cabbage and green peppers

Fish such as tuna, salmon or shrimp (optional)

Ground beef or pork (optional)

Ground beef or pork (optional)

Shiitake mushrooms (optional)

The most important thing is to be sure that all your ingredients are prepared before starting the dough preparation. This way, your pizza will be ready when it’s done (or at least, not too long after). 

Setting up the Countertop Pizza Oven

Countertop pizza ovens are small, compact and quick to use. They are an ideal solution for busy cooks who want to bake their own pizzas at home. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small countertop ovens that can fit on any kitchen countertop to large full-size ovens that require a lot of space.

The advantages of using a countertop pizza oven

Quick preheating time: Most countertop pizza ovens take just a few minutes to heat up completely, allowing you to quickly enjoy piping hot pizzas once the door is open.

Portability: The size of most countertop pizza ovens makes them easy to transport from one location to another, whether it’s your kitchen or backyard barbecue area. You can even take it camping if necessary!

Ease of use: Operating these appliances is simple enough for anyone to use without any special training or knowledge about cooking techniques. If you’re new at cooking with a pizza oven, there’s no need for complex recipes or techniques; just follow the directions provided by the manufacturer and you’ll be golden!

See more about the different types of countertop pizza ovens, to discover their advantages.

Countertop pizza ovens are made up of several different components that work together to help cook food evenly, deliver consistent results every time, and provide superior performance with little effort on your part. Here are some things you should know about these kitchens:

The cooking surface is usually made up of a non-stick surface that allows food to slide easily into contact with the heating element inside the oven. This surface may also be covered with decorative tiles or ceramic tiles that make it easy for you to clean up after using this kitchen appliance.

The heating element is designed to provide consistent heat throughout the entire baking chamber so that your food will cook evenly without burning or sticking anywhere on the cooking surface. It also has an adjustable thermostat feature so you can control how hot your oven gets based on what kind of food you’re making at any given time.

Instructions for preheating the oven and selecting the appropriate temperature setting

Carefully read the instructions before using your pizza oven.

Preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature setting. The recommended temperature is 400°F (200°C), but some ovens may be equipped with a conventional thermostat that can be set lower or higher than this value.

If you have a convection oven, preheat it to the same temperature as the main oven. If you have an infrared heater, preheat it to the same temperature as the main oven.

Place a pizza stone or baking stone in your oven and place your pizza on top of it for 45 minutes to 1 hour until it is fully cooked through and golden brown in color.

Making the Japanese Pizza

How to Pour and Spread the Okonomiyaki Batter onto the Pizza Stone or Pan in the Countertop Oven

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together. If you are cooking this on the stove top, use a wooden spoon for mixing. If you are using a countertop oven, use a flat spatula. The batter should be thick enough so that when you pour it into the pan or stone, it will spread out evenly.

Place your pizza stone or pan on your stove top and preheat your stove to medium-high heat. Once heated, pour about ¼ cup of okonomiyaki batter onto it and spread it out with a flat spatula or wooden spoon. You can adjust how much batter you want to add depending on how much batter you have left in your bowl (if there is more than one cup). The more batter that you add, the thicker your okonomiyaki will be. Continue pouring and spreading until all of your batter is gone from your bowl.

Make sure you don’t leave any holes in your batter for air to escape during cooking, which will result in a flat okonomiyaki pizza. Sprinkle some flour on top of the batter. This will help keep it from sticking to the pan or stone.

Layering of ingredients, including vegetables, seafood, and meat

The first step is to make sure that you have all the ingredients you need. You can use any combination of vegetables and seafood that you like, but avoid canned vegetables because they tend to get mushy when cooked.

You will also want to use some kind of protein for your pizza, such as shrimp or meatballs. Some people like to add just about anything they have on hand, including bacon, mushrooms, eggs and peppers.

Once you have chosen your ingredients, it’s time for assembly! Layering the ingredients in different layers helps create a more interesting presentation on your pizza. For example, if you are using shrimp as your main ingredient, then layering this with tomatoes would be a good idea since tomatoes are very light in color and contrast well with shrimp’s darker coloration.

The Japanese pizza can be made with any kind of fresh vegetables and seafood that you like. You can even add hard-boiled eggs for a more traditional look.

The key to making a beautiful Japanese pizza is to use the right amount of toppings, depending on the size of your pan. If you have a large pan, then use fewer ingredients; if you have a small pan, then use more ingredients.

The Japanese pizza is a great way to enjoy the flavors of Italy without leaving home. It’s quick and easy to make, and it’s a fun way to share with family and friends. The key to making this pizza is to cook it evenly so that the toppings don’t burn.

When you first place your dough on top of your sauce, drizzle some olive oil onto your fingertips and rub it all over the surface of your dough. This will help keep your dough from sticking as you work with it on top of your sauce.

Conclusion

So, to cook Japanese pizza with a countertop pizza oven, start by preparing your pizza dough and shaping it into the desired size and thickness. Preheat the countertop oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 450-500°F or 232-260°C). Once hot, transfer the pizza onto the preheated surface and quickly add your Japanese-inspired toppings, such as teriyaki chicken, wasabi mayo, seaweed, or bonito flakes. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Finally, remove the pizza from the oven, slice, and enjoy your homemade Japanese pizza!

Don’t hesitate to unleash your creativity and experiment with various ingredients and flavors to craft your own unique Japanese pizza recipes. Explore different combinations of Japanese and Italian ingredients, and consider adding elements like tempura shrimp, miso glazes, or pickled vegetables to elevate your culinary creations. Adjust the heat and cooking time in your countertop pizza oven to achieve the perfect balance between a crispy crust and perfectly cooked toppings. By embracing experimentation, you can personalize your Japanese pizza and discover delightful flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences. Happy cooking and bon appétit!