400°C PIZZA Morinomachi (2nd Branch): My First Visit and a Michelin-Level Dream Pizza in Okayama

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I enjoy traveling alone, writing, and taking photos. In Japan, I often look for signs of cats in quiet streets, temple paths, and wagashi shops. I first write down the views, tastes, and small moments from my trips in my travel notebook, then slowly turn them into a life journal on this website.

One of Okayama’s Best Pizzas: From Michelin Recognition to the Mori-no-Machi Branch

400℃ PIZZA is an artisan pizzeria that started in Okayama. It is known for its original high-hydration dough, which is fermented in-house and baked quickly at a very high temperature. In the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka + Okayama 2021, the original 400℃ PIZZA became the only pizza restaurant in Okayama City to receive a Bib Gourmand. Its special dough recipe and fermentation method also made it famous as one of the hardest top-quality pizzas to try in Japan. The restaurant is currently ranked No. 1 in Japan in Tabelog’s national pizza ranking and has also been selected multiple times for Tabelog’s “Pizza Top 100.” These awards have made 400℃ PIZZA famous across Japan.

However, the original restaurant has a very private style of operation. It has only 10 seats and does not accept normal reservations from new customers. You usually need an introduction from an existing customer, or the restaurant must be booked for a private group. In other words, even if you are willing to wait in line, you cannot simply walk in and eat there without an introduction. Google Maps even lists the restaurant as temporarily closed. In some ways, getting into the original 400℃ PIZZA feels almost as difficult as booking a traditional ryotei restaurant in Kyoto.

Luckily, in 2022, they opened their second location, 400℃ mori no machi, inside MORINOMACHI GRACE. Unlike the original restaurant, which uses a traditional wood-fired oven, this branch uses an electric pizza oven. Since it is located inside a large commercial complex, using a traditional wood-fired oven would be difficult because of fire-safety rules. However, the most important part of 400℃ PIZZA is still here: its original high-hydration fermented dough and several of its classic pizzas. The Mori-no-Machi branch also has some special pizzas that are only available at this location.

More importantly, eating at this branch is much easier than visiting the original restaurant. You do not need a reservation, although there is still a chance that the pizza may sell out if you arrive too late.

Orders are placed using a self-service machine, and cash is not accepted. Different cashless payment methods are available, including transportation IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA, so you do not necessarily need a credit card. It is a good idea to prepare a suitable payment method before you visit, so you do not run into any problems when ordering.

By the way, if you want to try 400℃ PIZZA, there is also a branch in Kagurazaka, Tokyo called 400℃ PIZZA TOKYO. Unlike the original restaurant in Okayama, this branch is open to everyone, and reservations can be made online through TableCheck. Payment is by credit card only, and each group can have no more than four people.

The restaurant has only 15 counter seats, so the small group limit is understandable. Many reviews on Tabelog also mention how difficult it can be to get a reservation, so it is best to book as soon as reservations open.

A Lucky Afternoon Without the Wait: Choosing Between the Limited Pizza and the Classic

I originally planned to order FNT (エフエヌティー), one of 400℃ PIZZA’s most famous signature pizzas. I had worked with blue cheese before, so I already knew that it has a very unique flavor and is definitely not for everyone.

I even remember a customer once returning blue cheese because they thought the cheese had gone moldy. My coworker in the merchandising department could only roll their eyes when they saw the reason for the return. Since then, I had always wondered what blue cheese would taste like when used in a cooked dish. So when I saw that FNT was made with blue cheese sauce, I immediately wanted to try it.

But when I arrived, I found that there were also two limited-edition pizzas that day, and both looked very tempting. Suddenly, choosing became much harder. I wanted to try FNT, but I also wanted one of the limited pizzas. At the same time, I still wanted to save some room for Tama Udon, which was in the same food hall at MORINOMACHI GRACE. Unfortunately, I only had one stomach. I guess life really is full of difficult choices.

0715 1190489 — There’s something especially tempting about dishes that are written separately instead of being listed on the regular menu.

In the end, I followed my heart and chose one of the limited pizzas, Egg Woman (エッグウーマン). Only after ordering did I remember that this place does not accept cash. Payment has to be made by credit card or another cashless method, which gave me a brief moment of panic. Luckily, I had brought my credit card with me, or it would have been very awkward.

After you order, the staff will ask if you need a pizza cutter. I definitely recommend taking one, because the pizza is served whole and you need to cut it yourself. The pizza is about 25 cm in diameter, which I think is just about right for one person, although it may feel a little small for someone with a bigger appetite.

When it first arrived, I was slightly disappointed because the edge looked quite dark, with more charred spots than I expected. It was very different from the perfectly golden pizzas you often see in photos. But after my first bite, all of those doubts disappeared. This was easily one of the most surprising pizzas I had ever tasted, especially because of its texture.

Even though the crust looked quite dark and charred, it was not bitter at all. Instead, it had a nice roasted wheat aroma. The edge was also very different from the usual thin and crispy pizza crust. It was thick, fluffy, and full of air like bread, but it did not feel heavy.

The egg in the center was not fully cooked. It was soft and creamy, a little like the runny egg on top of Japanese omurice, and almost melted in my mouth. Then came the rich sweetness of the maple syrup. The bacon added the salty part, but surprisingly, it was not too salty. Instead, it helped balance the egg and maple syrup. When all three came together, it almost felt like eating a dessert, brunch, and savory pie at the same time. The flavors had many layers, and the aroma was surprisingly complex.

The cheese, however, was not as strong as I expected. There was no dramatic cheese pull or very strong salty cheese flavor, probably because the maple syrup and egg were much more noticeable. Cinnamon (シナモン) was also listed as one of the ingredients, but I could hardly taste it. It did not leave much of an impression on me, so perhaps only a small amount was used.

Final Thoughts: A Delicious Surprise in Okayama, and Next Time I’m Definitely Trying the Signature FNT!

I highly recommend 400℃ PIZZA at Mori-no-Machi Grace if you have a chance to visit Okayama. The pizza completely changed my idea of what pizza could be. It was not only delicious, but the texture and aroma were also very different from any pizza I had tried before.

I was lucky and barely had to wait, although looking back, that was probably because I arrived quite early in the day. Ordering was easy, but I would still recommend coming early, especially on weekends or during busy hours when the food hall may be crowded.

This time, I chose the limited Egg Woman, and it was a wonderful surprise. My only small regret was not trying FNT, the signature pizza with blue cheese and honey that I originally wanted to order. I will have to save that for my next visit. Still, being able to enjoy pizza of this quality in Okayama was definitely worth the trip.

Another thing I liked was the food hall at Mori-no-Machi Grace. It felt very different from a typical food court in Taiwan. The stylish space reminded me a little of a café in Ginza, and even a casual meal felt more special here. It is also convenient when traveling with friends, because everyone can choose whatever they want to eat.

At the time of my visit, the food hall also had Tama Udon (たまうどん), an udon shop run by Okayama Electric Tramway. I especially liked their cute cat-paw-shaped fish cake tempura, which was both tasty and great for photos. If you are like me and always have trouble deciding what to eat, 400℃ PIZZA and Tama Udon made a very satisfying combination for that visit.

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400°C PIZZA Morinomachi (2nd Branch)

Opening Hours: From 11:00 until sold out. The pizza dough may sell out before the food hall closes, so visiting earlier in the day is recommended.
Closed: Mondays. Opening days and hours may change, so check the official Instagram before visiting.
Ordering: During my visit, orders were placed using a self-service ordering machine, and an order number was issued after payment.
Payment: MORINOMACHI GRACE supports major credit cards and various cashless payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, iD, QUICPay, Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, PayPay, and more. During my visit, 400℃ did not accept cash, so I recommend preparing a credit card or another cashless payment method.
Official Website:https://400do-pizza.com (general website for 400℃ PIZZA)
Location: 1F, MORINOMACHI PLAZA, 2-10-8 Shimoishii, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-0907, Japan

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